A stranger hopped behind the wheel of an SUV a girl left operating along with her 2-year-old son inside in Brooklyn Friday morning – and the tot was saved inside 10 minutes when cops pulled over the joyrider, authorities mentioned.
The 32-year-old mother referred to as 911 and advised cops she left her Nissan Pathfinder operating with the toddler within the backseat as she stepped right into a deli on Sutter Avenue close to Van Sinderen Avenue in Brownsville, police mentioned.
Whereas she was within the retailer, 34-year-old Maurice Stephens received behind the wheel and drove off with the toddler, mentioned cops.
The alleged carjacker drove for almost a mile when officers noticed him at Wyona Avenue and Liberty Avenue and pulled him over round 10:50 a.m., authorities mentioned.
The boy was recovered safely and Stephens – who has no relation to the household – was positioned in cuffs, authorities mentioned.
Stephens, of Brooklyn Heights, was charged with fourth-degree grand larceny, second-degree kidnapping, legal possession of stolen property and endangering the welfare of a kid, cops mentioned.
He has one prior arrest, for legal possession of a managed substance from January in Midtown Manhattan, authorities mentioned.
