Baby found safe after being reported missing in car theft: Surrey RCMP

A one-year-old girl who was the subject of a briefamber alert in Surrey, B.C., on Tuesday morningwas found safe, police say.

Surrey RCMP launched the alert after a vehicle was reported stolen from the 17200-block of 58 Avenue in Cloverdale with a child in the backseat.

Cpl. Vanessa Munnsaid several units responded immediately, including plain-clothes officersand the Lower Mainland Intergrated Police Dog Service.

By 9:20 a.m., a bystander reported finding the car abandoned about twokilometres away in the5900-block of 177B Street, the baby still strapped in its seat.

"We are very grateful that we were able to locate the vehicle. I'm sure it felt like the longest hour of that parent's life, but I think everyone's just very grateful for the happy outcome," Munntold the CBC by phone Tuesday.

According to Munnthe vehicle had been momentarily left outside with the engine running while the parent ran back inside to get some belongings.

Sheaddedthat itappearedto beacrime of opportunity and the suspect likely had no idea there was a child in the backseat.

Police have not yet found the suspect but remain on the scene canvassing the neighbours for surveillance video.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Surrey RCMP at 604-599-0502.