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Police Search For Suspect Who Stole Car With Toddler Inside

DENVER (CBS4) - Police in Denver say a thief stole a car with a 1 year old inside on Friday morning in the Green Valley Ranch area.

The incident happened on the 18600 block of East 46th Avenue.

Child In Stolen Car Map
(credit: CBS)

Father Julio Romero put his 1 and a half year old daughter in his car that was parked in his driveway.

He says he left to grab his jacket just inside the front door and when he came back the car was gone.

"I heard a door close and a car take off," said Romero.

Romero began frantically looking for her when he saw her across the street having been dropped off unharmed a few blocks away.

"Saw my car over there and saw my daughter just walking back...and that's when I freaked out, I was like whoa," said Romero.

Thankful to have his little girl Romero and his wife recalled just a few weeks ago when a young boy was in the back seat of a stolen car that led to a wild car chase.

"She's like 'that could've been you.' I told her thank God none of that," said Romero.

Neighbors are glad the little one is safe as well.

"I'm just glad the little one is safe, that's the most important thing," said a neighbor.

Romero says as a father, he is learning from his mistake.

"I'm glad the baby is alright, but I did learn my lesson. I'm never going to let her out of my sight ever again," said Romero.

Police said there was no suspect description. They said the missing car is a 2005 black Toyota Matrix with Colorado license plate 265VOJ.

Authorities are also investigating the case as a possible child neglect case.

They are asking anyone who has seen the car or has any other information to please contact them.

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