San Diego

Thief Steals Car With Baby Sleeping in Backseat

The toddler's mother told NBC 7 that while she waited for the car to be found, she feared the worst – imagining the suspect would drive into Mexico.

A man called National City Police to tell them the car he stole had a sleeping baby in the backseat.

The 18-month-old boy was sleeping in his car seat in the back of the keyless entry 2009 Nissan Maxima parked in the Days Inn parking lot on E Street, just south of downtown San Diego.

The mother told NBC 7 that she was checking in to the motel with a friend around 11:40 p.m. Wednesday and left her son in the car. When she came outside, the car was driving out of the parking lot.

Nearly an hour later, someone called National City Police to report a baby in the black of a Nissan on K Avenue.

The toddler was found inside the vehicle still secured in his car seat and unharmed, police said.

The mother said while she waited the 45 minutes for the car to be found, she feared the worst – imagining the suspect would drive into Mexico. 

Steven Luna, 25, of Chula Vista was arrested on charges of being under the influence of a controlled substance and car theft. 

Police said Luna later admitted to stealing the car. He told officers that he called police after he noticed the sleeping child.

The reunion of the mother and son was caught on camera. 

Refresh this page for updates on this breaking news story.

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