Auto Thief Took Off With Baby In Lexus, Cops Say

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The St. Petersburg Police Department is asking for help identifying a man its officers say stole a Lexus Wednesday morning that happened to have a 1-year-old girl inside. While baby and SUV were both recovered rather quickly, police would still like to speak to the person responsible.

Police say the incident began to unfold just after 9 a.m. Feb. 15 when a father arrived at his home with his daughter in her car seat in the back of the Lexus. The man left the engine running and ran inside his home in the 5100 block of 39th Street South to put his mail down.

When the father went inside, police say a “young man” got out of a white car, jumped into the Lexus and took off with the baby on board. The vehicle and baby were found about two blocks away, the agency said. The baby was just fine. Police say the thief jumped back inside the white four-door car he was in after abandoning the SUV.

Police say there were two young men involved in the incident. Both are believed to be in their late teens to early 20s. Anyone who recognizes them is asked to call the agency at 727-893-7780 or text SPPD+ a tip to TIP411.

Photo courtesy of the St. Petersburg Police Department