Baby unharmed after vehicle she was in stolen in Regina

Regina police rushed to find a stolen vehicle Thursday afternoon that was snatched with an infant inside.

Around 11:35 a.m. CST, police responded to a call about a stolen vehicle with a one-year-old girl inside on the 3200 block of 13th Avenue.

Just under an hour later, police found the vehicle about five kilometres north in the area of Regency Crescent. The child was still inside, unharmed.

According to police, the child's mother parked the vehicle on 13th Avenue, in the Cathedral neighbourhood, and went into a shop called Groovy Mama. They said the mother had left the vehicle locked, but running, with her daughter sleeping in the back seat.

An unknown person managed to get into the locked vehicle and drove off.

Police believe the thief realized there was a baby in the car shortly after stealing it and abandoned the vehicle on Third Avenue N., about fivekilometres away.

The police service was about to issue an Amber Alert, when they received anonymous call alerting them of the vehicle and the baby's location.

Police suspect the anonymous caller and the car thief are the same person, so they are checking for surveillance video from where the call was placed, which is a strip mall on Sherwood Drive.

"[It's an] example of a learning tool here," Regina police Insp. Trevor Ewart said. "We're asking not to leave children in the vehicle. By no means am I blaming anyone in this case. At the end of the day, we've reunited the one-year-old and the mother and everyone is safe."

The investigation continues and anyone with information is asked to call the Regina Police Service at306-777-6500 orCrime Stoppers at1-800-222-8477.