Suspect steals car with 2-year-old boy inside in central Fresno, child reunited with family

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A two-year-old boy was reunited with his family after he was kidnapped in central Fresno on Wednesday.

Fresno police say a Hyundai Santa Fe was stolen from the front of Kids Kare Facility on Olive and Mariposa just after 5:30 pm.

When the suspect realized a child was in the back seat, they abandoned the car about a block away.

Investigators are working on reviewing surveillance video to identify the thief who is also facing kidnapping charges.

A large number of officers were quick to respond since they were already deployed in an ongoing gang enforcement operation.

"This is one of those calls for us. It is extremely scary. We immediately get as many officers as we can, and officers themselves volunteer for the call because they know how important it is," said Fresno Police Lt. Anthony Dewall.

Investigators want to remind people to never leave a child unattended inside a car, no matter how quickly you might be away from the vehicle.