A mother reportedly left her car running while she ran inside, apparently tempting a would-be car-jacker to steal the Honda CRV.
Videos by Rare
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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.
Missing children found safe to miles from where they were taken in a stolen car. pic.twitter.com/bc6sseJ7vf
— Jeff Ehling (@JeffEhlingABC13) January 22, 2018
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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.
.@CourtneyABC13 just obtained surveillance video of a man accused of stealing a vehicle in southwest Houston with three kids inside | We'll have updates all morning about this investigation as officers continue to search for the kidnapping suspect https://t.co/Sdm67NjUnv pic.twitter.com/FTOBx2sUqs
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) January 22, 2018