Stranger steals car NYC mom left running with 2-year-old boy inside, tot is saved when eagle-eyed cops pull over joyrider: police

A shocking incident occurred in Brooklyn on Friday morning when a stranger hopped into an SUV left running with a 2-year-old boy inside. The quick actions of the NYPD led to the safe recovery of the child within 10 minutes.

The 32-year-old mother had left her Nissan Pathfinder running with her son in the backseat as she ran into a deli on Sutter Avenue near Van Sinderen Avenue in Brownsville. During her brief absence, 34-year-old Maurice Stephens seized the opportunity to drive off with the toddler in the vehicle.

Stephens managed to drive approximately a mile before being stopped by police at Wyona Street and Liberty Avenue. The officers swiftly apprehended him at around 10:50 a.m. and safely rescued the young boy from the vehicle.

Stephens, who has no connection to the family, was promptly arrested and charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree kidnapping, criminal possession of stolen property, and endangering the welfare of a child. It was revealed that he had a prior arrest for criminal possession of a controlled substance in Midtown Manhattan in January.

This terrifying ordeal serves as a reminder of the importance of not leaving vehicles running and unattended, especially with children inside. The swift response of law enforcement in this case thankfully prevented a potentially tragic outcome.