HPD officers says 3 children are safe following an early-morning car-jacking

Screen shot of Twitter.com/@abc13houston's post

A mother reportedly left her car running while she ran inside, apparently tempting a would-be car-jacker to steal the Honda CRV.

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Not only did it work, the thief drove off from the Shell station in the 8000 block of West Sam Houston Parkway in southwest Houston at around 2:30 a.m.  with more than he bargained for:

Three kids reportedly still sat inside.

Fortunately, police said they found the children, ages 4, 7 and 8,  safe about two hours later at a nearby strip center in the 10800 block of Bellaire Boulevard.

A maintenance worker reportedly discovered them, sleeping in the car, when he said he went to throw trash away in an adjacent dumpster.

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Authorities said they then reunited the children, who appeared to be unharmed, with their mother.

The man, who reportedly could be seen wearing a grey hoodie on the gas station surveillance cam, remains at large.

If you would like to share information on this incident, contact you local police or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

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