Police: Man Steals Car With 1-Year-Old Boy Inside In Lyon Township

SOUTH LYON (WWJ) - Police have arrested a 52-year-old man who they say stole a car with a toddler in the backseat in Oakland County.

South Lyon Police Lt. Christopher Sovik says the father of the boy went into a home, Tuesday morning., and left the 1-year-old in his running car outside.

"He actually walked inside his father's house for a minute to try to pick up some belongings of his son," Sovik told WWJ Newsradio 950's Zahra Huber. When he was in the house talking to his father he saw the vehicle rolling down the street through the window. Him and his dad got in a vehicle and gave chase, only to...they actually lost him a short time either."

Officers from multiple police agencies responded to the 911 call, and police found the car just down the street — with the toddler still inside, unharmed.

Sovik said the suspect, who was arrested after being connected with the cell phone he'd left in the front seat of the vehicle, told police he ditched the car when realized the child was in the back.

Sovik said the man also confessed to stealing a truck from a bakery last week.

Charges are pending.

"We're definitely looking from stolen vehicle, UDAA (unlawful driving away of an automobile) charges," Sovik said. "If there's anything more for abandoning a child or kidnapping, we'll let them, we'll let the Oakland County Prosecutor decide that."

Solvik said at this point police are not seeking charges against the father for leaving the child in the car.

The suspect's name will be released at the time of his formal arraignment.