An unidentified man who stole a Kia Sorento with a 2-year-old girl in the back seat abandoned the car shortly after getting into the vehicle in the unincorporated city of Spring Valley.
The robbery occurred shortly before 6 p.m. Monday at the Spring Valley shopping center, located about 12 miles northeast of San Diego.
The owner of the electric sport utility vehicle left his daughter inside the parked car while he ran an errand, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department.
That's when the car thief jumped into the vehicle and sped away southbound, according to authorities.
The van came to a sudden stop at the intersection of Sweetwater Road and Jamacha Road, about a half-mile from the crime scene, while the vehicle's owner called police.
Witnesses saw the man flee the vehicle, while leaving the girl unharmed in her seat, according to Sheriff's Sgt. Michael Lane.
The 2-year-old girl was quickly reunited with her parents.
“We're not sure what led the man to stop,” Lane said. “Maybe it was seeing the girl in the back seat or maybe it was other reasons.”
The man accelerated without the vehicle key, according to Lane, which also may have caused the car to shut off.
When officers arrived at the scene, the vehicle's engine was off, Lane said.
The Sheriff's Department conducted a search of the surrounding area but did not find the suspect. Lane said the incident is being investigated as kidnapping and carjacking as sheriff's investigators continue the search.
According to Lane, the suspect is not believed to be armed.
