Two small children who were inside an SUV that was stolen in Miami-Dade were found safe. NBC6’s Niko Clemmons reports
Two small children who were inside an SUV that was stolen in Miami-Dade were found safe Wednesday, authorities said.
Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office officials said the vehicle and children were recovered shortly after it was stolen in northwest Miami-Dade.
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WATCH HEREDet. Ángel Rodríguez said the kids' mother went inside a business on Northwest 50th Street and 71st Avenue and left her SUV running. The woman’s 2-year-old and 6-year-old were in the backseat.
That's when someone or more than one person took off with the white Mitsubishi SUV, detectives said.
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“It only takes a split second for someone to steal a vehicle,” Rodriguez said. “Unfortunately it happens too often.”
A Virginia Gardens Police officer found the SUV less than a mile away, abandoned. The children were safe inside the vehicle.
“There is a good indication that when the vehicle was stolen the subjects did not know that there were children in the car and we're hoping that's why the vehicle was left abandoned,” Rodriguez said.
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Detectives said the story could've ended differently, which is why they say it should be an important reminder.
“So many times we go to different ATMs or a store for a second and come back, it's that one second where someone if they want to make a victim out of you will take an opportunity to make a victim at that time,” Rodriguez said.
Anyone with information about the incident and the subject's whereabouts should call CrimeStoppers at 305-471-8477 (TIPS).
