Car stolen with 2-year-old inside; child found safe
UPDATE: Police have taken Stephen Dunn into custody in connection with the car theft as of Friday evening, according to the Brentwood Police Department.
BRENTWOOD, Mo. – A child who was inside of a car stolen at a Brentwood gas station Thursday morning was found safe and reunited with guardians, authorities say. The accused car thief remains at large as of Thursday evening.
The car was stolen from a Mobil gas station at 2120 S. Brentwood Blvd. just after 4 a.m. A two-year-old child was inside.
The Brentwood Police Department reports that the child was found safe half an hour later near a residential area of Clayton, Mo.
Nearby residents said they couldn’t believe someone left a young child in the middle of the neighborhood. Chris Goins nannies for a family just a few doors away from the intersection where the child was found.
“It’s scary to me. I mean, I’m a nanny for two kids, and just the idea of a little child being dropped off on the corner in the middle of the night is scary for me,” Goins said. “That’s every parent’s nightmare. So, I’m glad the child’s home safe.”
Shootout video near campus reveals chaos during gunfire
The incident also stunned Brentwood resident Shari Cognac.
“I don’t really feel like Brentwood is a place for a lot of crime, and I’ve lived in Brentwood for 30 years,” Cognac said.
Brentwood Police say this incident should serve as a wake-up call for all parents.
“This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and cautious, particularly in public spaces. Parents and caregivers are reminded to never leave children unattended in vehicles,” said the Brentwood Police Department via a news release.
Cognac agrees.
“Just be careful. Just woatch out for your family and friends and your kids, especially left in a car,” she said.
Investigators later tracked down the stolen car, a blue Chevy Equinox, in Pevely, Mo., near a Super 8 Motel.
Meanwhile, the suspect remains at large. Police have described the suspect as a white man in his 20s with dark hair. In security photos, he is seen wearing a green sweatshirt, dark pants, and tennis shoes.
If you have any relevant information regarding this suspect or the investigation, contact the Brentwood Police Department at 314-645-3000.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
