Stolen Car Had Child Inside, Later Found With Child Unharmed: Police

NEW HAVEN, CT — Late Saturday night, as undercover cops were doing "motor vehicle enforcement" in the area of Lombard Street, an officer in an unmarked car saw a car that had been stolen, a police spokesperson said.

The cop tried to stop the car with its lights and sirens on, Sgt, Cherelle Carr said, but the driver "disregarded the lights and sirens and attempted to flee" and crashed head-on into the unmarked. The driver then "backed up and crashed into the unmarked" a second time, she said, and took off. But cops didn't catch him. Meanwhile, the undercover car's airbags deployed during the crash and the officer was evaluated by American Medical Response on scene and no further medical treatment was required, Carr said.

The following day, Sunday, at 1:40 p.m, cops were told that a car was stolen with a child was inside, Carr said. Cops went to the parking lot of Walgreens, at 436 Whalley Ave., and began searching for the car, she said.

A short time later, the vehicle was found at the intersection of Boulevard and Argonne street with the child inside, unharmed in the back seat, Carr said.

"Officers are on scene attempting to speak to witnesses and obtain surveillance footage," Carr said.

It's unclear if police believe the two incidents are related.

Carr said the "investigation is ongoing."