A one-year-old boy is safe after an unknown thief stole a vehicle with the child still buckled inside early Wednesday morning on Chicago’s Far South Side.
The incident began around 2 a.m. in the 9100 block of South Urban Avenue in the Roseland neighborhood.
A 36-year-old man was standing right next to his vehicle when a stranger suddenly climbed into the driver’s seat.
The suspect put the car in drive and sped away from the residential block before the man could intervene.
The victim’s one-year-old son was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle as the thief accelerated down the street.
Chicago police officers immediately flooded the surrounding area and launched a coordinated search across multiple police districts.
Dispatchers broadcasted the vehicle’s description to all active patrol units in the area.
Technicians utilized city camera networks and automated license plate readers to track the vehicle’s path of travel.
Officers located the missing vehicle and the toddler a short time later approximately five miles away from the initial scene.
The car was found parked in the 6200 block of South Eberhart Avenue in the Woodlawn neighborhood.
First responders confirmed the one-year-old boy was still inside the vehicle when they discovered it.
Paramedics transported the child to a local hospital for a thorough medical evaluation.
Medical staff reported that the boy did not sustain any physical injuries during the incident.
Doctors kept the toddler for standard observation before releasing him back to his family.
Chicago police confirmed that no suspects are currently in custody in connection with the theft.
Area Detectives are actively investigating the incident and are reviewing available security footage from both neighborhoods.
The 9100 block of South Urban Avenue is a quiet residential pocket of Roseland characterized by brick bungalows and neat lawns.
Neighbors woke up on Wednesday to the sight of police flashlights and idling squad cars lining their block.
Local residents expressed deep concern over how quickly the crime occurred right outside a family home.
Community members noted that the area is typically a place where parents feel safe loading and unloading their children.
The distance between the theft site and the recovery site spans several distinct South Side communities.
Woodlawn residents on South Eberhart Avenue were surprised to find their street at the center of a major police investigation before sunrise.
The incident highlights a growing concern among city residents regarding opportunistic property crimes.
Safety experts warn that modern vehicles can be targeted in a matter of seconds if left unlocked or idling.
The Chicago Police Department reminds motorists to never leave a vehicle running while unattended for any length of time.
Parents should always take their car keys with them, even when standing just a few feet away from the vehicle.
Locking the doors immediately upon exiting a vehicle can prevent quick-strike thefts.
Community organizations in Roseland plan to discuss local safety measures at the next neighborhood policing meeting.
Authorities are asking anyone with exterior security cameras on South Urban Avenue or South Eberhart Avenue to review their footage from overnight.
Information can be submitted anonymously to the Chicago Police Department through their online tip portal.
