PHILADELPHIA, PA – A 42-year-old man is in custody after allegedly stealing a running minivan with a 2-month-old baby girl inside, leading police on a dangerous chase and crashing into multiple vehicles.
The Theft at Rita’s Water Ice
The incident began just after 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, on the 8600 block of Frankford Avenue. According to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small, a father parked his red Toyota minivan outside a Rita’s Water Ice location, leaving the vehicle running with his infant daughter in the backseat.
Moments after the father stepped away, the suspect jumped into the idling minivan and sped away from the scene.
High-Speed Chase and Multiple Crashes
Philadelphia police officers quickly spotted the stolen vehicle near Grant Avenue and Academy Road. In an attempt to evade capture, the suspect struck a civilian car and a police cruiser.
The pursuit continued onto Roosevelt Boulevard, where the minivan collided with another vehicle near the Red Lion Road intersection. Following the final crash, the suspect abandoned the minivan and fled into a nearby wooded area on foot.
Suspect Arrested and Baby Safe
Officers pursued the suspect into the woods and successfully took him into custody.
Fortunately, the 2-month-old girl was found safe inside the recovered minivan. Emergency responders checked the infant before she was safely reunited with her father. The identities of the suspect and the family have not yet been released as charges are being finalized.
