KILLEEN, Texas — Two teens are in police custody after they stole a vehicle Saturday afternoon that had a 9-month-old inside, according to the Killeen Police Department.
KPD received a 911 call Jan. 30 around 5:20 p.m. about a vehicle being stolen with an infant inside in the 3600 block of Zephyr Road. Officers say the vehicle was stolen after the owner left it running while he went to talk to his spouse at a restaurant she was placing an order at.
Within minutes, police say they found the vehicle traveling northbound on 38th Street with two people inside. Officers tried to stop the vehicle, but the two fled, police say.
A short chase followed until the driver stopped near Westcliff Road, officers say. A 15-year-old boy and 14-year-old girl were taken into custody without incident, KPD reported.
While officers were arresting the teens, they were notified of an infant that was left on the side of the road in its car seat, KPD says. Additional officers responded to the infant's location where they were met by Killeen EMS. KPD says the baby wasn't injured.
“This is another reminder to never leave children in an unattended vehicle, not even for a moment," Chief Charles Kimble said in a press release. "Thieves are always looking for crimes of opportunity. The officers with Days B Shift did an outstanding job locating the vehicle and safely returning the infant to his family."
KPD said the investigation is ongoing and more information will be released as it becomes available.
