Photo: THOM CARROLL/PHILLYVOICE.com
A car thief saw an opportunity to steal a vehicle left with the engine running and the doors unlocked, but made the mistake to pick one that had 3 kids inside.
It happened in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, earlier this week, NBC10 reports. A 25-year-old woman driving a Hyundai pulled up in front of a pizza place and briefly went inside, to visit her boyfriend who worked there. She had their 3 children in the car with her and she left them there while she dashed in.
At the same time, a 54-year-old man was outside and saw the woman leave the car with the engine running. He jumped in the car and drove off, probably not even aware that there were 3 kids in there as well.
By the time he realized it, the damage had already been done. The Hyundai hit blocked traffic at a nearby intersection, which gave the kids’ father enough time to come out of the pizza place and rush on foot towards them. Once at the car, he grabbed the car thief and pulled him out, hitting him repeatedly.
“Police said other bystanders in the area joined in and attacked the car thief as well,” NBC10 says. First responders arrived at the scene and took the car thief to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The woman and her boyfriend were both taken into custody for questioning. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said they are both cooperating with investigators. Small also said both the homicide unit and the District Attorney’s Office will work to determine if the father will be charged,” the same report says.
It’s uncertain if any one of the bystanders who helped beat the car thief will be charged. The children were not hurt in the incident and are currently staying with family.
At the same time, a 54-year-old man was outside and saw the woman leave the car with the engine running. He jumped in the car and drove off, probably not even aware that there were 3 kids in there as well.
By the time he realized it, the damage had already been done. The Hyundai hit blocked traffic at a nearby intersection, which gave the kids’ father enough time to come out of the pizza place and rush on foot towards them. Once at the car, he grabbed the car thief and pulled him out, hitting him repeatedly.
“Police said other bystanders in the area joined in and attacked the car thief as well,” NBC10 says. First responders arrived at the scene and took the car thief to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.
“The woman and her boyfriend were both taken into custody for questioning. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said they are both cooperating with investigators. Small also said both the homicide unit and the District Attorney’s Office will work to determine if the father will be charged,” the same report says.
It’s uncertain if any one of the bystanders who helped beat the car thief will be charged. The children were not hurt in the incident and are currently staying with family.
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