A suspect stole an SUV with a 1-year-old girl in it as the vehicle idled outside a Manhattan preschool Tuesday, police say.
Officers responded to a call about a grand larceny auto in progress on West 134th Street shortly before 9 a.m., just outside of the Chloe Day School.
A father had double parked outside the school to bring his 4-year-old daughter in, leaving his younger daughter in the SUV. The school's director said the father was inside for maybe a minute.
"He ran back out to the car then ran back in and said the car was stolen," said Dr. Sanayi Beckles-Canton. "He was very upset. We were all screaming, crying. Other parents helped, ran outside, looked around."
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NYPD Chief of Patrol John Chell said that video showed a man "lurking across the street" jump in the car and take off.
"We were able to track that phone. We called it, presumably suspect picks up, tells us where he was and says sorry," Chell said.
Police described the vehicle as a red/burgundy Honda Pilot with New York state plates. About 40 minutes later, officers caught up with the car on the Upper East Side. Chopper 4 captured a swarm of NYPD vehicles around the vehicle.
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A man was taken into custody at East 72nd Street near First Avenue. The child was found unharmed and safe.
Police vehicles were seen blocking off bridges and tunnels as authorities searched.
Tuesday's incident was the second time in just a matter of days that a car was stolen in the city with a child inside. On Saturday, a 6-month-old was found safe after a car was taken in the Bronx. Police tracked down that car and made an arrest.
