URGENT UPDATE: A young teen has reportedly stolen a family SUV with four children inside in Philadelphia, leading to a dramatic crash late Thursday night. The incident unfolded around 11 p.m. on November 2, 2023, when the mother left her Honda CR-V running outside the King Laundromat on the 6700 block of Castor Avenue in the city’s Oxford Circle section.
Authorities confirm the mother exited the laundromat to find her vehicle missing, with her children still in the back seat. “This appears to be a crime of opportunity,” stated Chief Inspector Scott Small from the Philadelphia Police Department. He emphasized that the suspect likely noticed the running vehicle and seized the moment.
After stealing the SUV, the male suspect, estimated to be between 13 and 14 years old, drove approximately half a mile south on Castor Avenue. However, during a turn onto Comly Street, he side-swiped a parked van, resulting in the vehicle crashing. Witnesses reported seeing the young suspect fleeing on foot after realizing the children were in the back seat.
The good news: all four children have been safely reunited with their mother thanks to swift police action. However, the investigation is ongoing as officers continue to search for the young suspect.
“This situation could have ended much worse,” Chief Inspector Small added. “It only takes a split second for a crime like this to unfold.”
As the police ramp up their efforts to locate the suspect, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. This incident has sparked a conversation around child safety and vehicle theft in the community.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as police work to bring the suspect to justice.
