Teen Steals Vehicle With Children Inside In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Four children are safe after a vehicle they were sitting in was stolen Thursday night in Philadelphia.

The vehicle theft occurred at about 11 p.m. on the 6700 block of Castor Avenue, NBC10 reports.

Children ranging from 2 months to 13 years were in the vehicle while it was parked outside Kings Laundromat and their mother was inside the business, according to Fox 29.

When she came back to the vehicle, which was left running, it was gone, Action News reports.

Police described the incident as a "crime of opportunity," and that the suspect was 13 to 14 years old.

Authorities believe once the suspect realized children were in the vehicle, they abandoned the vehicle and ran off.

But before that, the suspect sideswiped another vehicle on Comley Street, per Fox. 29.

The children have since been reunited with their family and were unharmed, according to Action News.

Anyone who has information on the incident should contact Philadelphia Police at 215-686-8477.