A thief sped off in a household automobile with a two-year-old woman strapped in her seat, police have mentioned.
The woman was reunited together with her household after the Vauxhall Vectra was found three miles away following the terrifying incident in Quarrington Hill, close to Durham, at round 7pm on Wednesday.
Durham Police mentioned the household had parked their silver automobile outdoors a relative’s home to drop buying off when a darkish Nissan X-Path pulled up on the street.
The Vauxhall’s engine was nonetheless operating whereas a member of the household stood by the automobile door and others took buying inside.
This has been an especially distressing incident for the household, who had been terrified for the welfare of their youngsterDetective Inspector Malcolm Bell
A person wearing a blue hoodie and black joggers jumped out of the Nissan and climbed into the Vauxhall with the two-year-old strapped right into a automobile seat within the rear.
He then took off at velocity because the distressed household tried to cease him, the pressure mentioned.
The Vectra was found about three miles away round Sherburn Beck, close to Ludworth, and the woman was unhurt, though the household’s cat, which was within the automobile, has not been discovered.
Detective Inspector Malcolm Bell mentioned: “This has been an especially distressing incident for the household, who had been terrified for the welfare of their youngster.”
Anybody with any info, dashcam or CCTV footage is requested to name 101.