URGENT UPDATE: A young teen has stolen an SUV containing four children, triggering a swift police response in Philadelphia late Thursday night. The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. when the children’s mother briefly left them in her running Honda CR-V parked outside the King Laundromat on the 6700 block of Castor Avenue.
Authorities report that the mother returned to find her vehicle missing, prompting an immediate search for the suspect. According to Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department, the theft appears to be a “crime of opportunity.” He stated, “We believe the person who stole the car saw the vehicle with the engine running.”
The male suspect, estimated to be between 13 and 14 years old, drove the stolen SUV about half a mile before crashing into a parked van while attempting to turn onto Comly Street. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the crash and the young driver fleeing the scene on foot after realizing the children were still inside the vehicle.
Fortunately, the children were quickly reunited with their mother, who expressed her relief as the police continue their search for the suspect. Officials emphasize the danger of leaving children unattended in vehicles, even for a moment, stating, “It only takes a split second for something like this to happen.”
Police are urging anyone with information about this incident to come forward as the search intensifies. The community is on alert as authorities work to prevent such dangerous situations in the future. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
