Teen Stole Car With 3-Year-Old Inside: Police

MARIETTA, GA — A 17-year-old has been arrested and charged with carjacking a vehicle in Cobb County that had a 3-year-old child inside.

At about 11:30 a.m. on May 26, police were called to the RaceTrac at 5191 South Cobb Dr. There, a mother said that while she was pumping gas on the passenger side of her car, someone slid into the driver's seat and drove away with the young child still in the back seat.

The thief abandoned the car a short distance away with the child still in the vehicle and the child was later found unharmed.

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On Tuesday, Cobb County Police, U.S. Marshals, Atlanta Police and East Point Police arrested Michael Williams, 17, in the case. He is charged with kidnapping, second-degree vehicle hijacking and felony theft by receiving.

Cobb Police say the case remains under investigation and anyone with information is asked to call 770-499-4539. Police also are reminding the public about this type of crime. They say thieves are known to target unlocked vehicles while their drivers are distracted pumping gas.

Often, they will steal purses, wallets and keys that are left out in the vehicle, police said, or sometimes the vehicle itself. They urge motorists to lock their vehicles while pumping gas and not to leave valuable items in the vehicle when doing so.

Below, watch video of the woman's car being stolen with her 3 year old inside:

Photo, video courtesy Cobb County Police Department