Watch police find toddler in empty car park at night hours after carjacking
Police in the US have found a three-year-old girl who was reported missing after a thief stole her mother's car while she was still inside.
The Albuquerque Police Department were alerted to the incident, which happened in a supermarket car park at around 8.30pm on Saturday night, and immediately began a search for Caraline Leon-Alcocar.
MISSING 3 year old, Caraline. Taken when the vehicle she was in was stolen. Last seen at 6001 Lomas NE.
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 3, 2016
Please RT pic.twitter.com/te4RlZhEAg
They found the abandoned car soon afterwards, but there was no sign of Caraline.
Vehicle taken from Smiths, Lomas/San Pedro. Located at Menaul/Carlisle. Massive coordinated search underway. Anyone with any info, 911
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 3, 2016
They immediately stepped up their search by releasing more information about the three-year-old girl in an effort to find her.
Caraline was wearing a purple jacket, Hello Kitty shirt and black boots. pic.twitter.com/fCTGFTvi16
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 3, 2016
Officer Chris Poccia found Caraline just after midnight in an empty car park "very cold and very scared", according to the policeman.
Another officer, Daren DeAguero, told the Albuquerque Journal she was found "out there by herself in freezing temperatures with just a little jacket on".
Caraline has been located and is safe. We would like to thank #ABQ for their compassion, concern and assistance in locating her@AMBERAlert
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 3, 2016
The police department released footage of the dramatic moment she was found, which shows Caraline sitting alone in a dark, empty car park as officer Poccia comes across her.
He can be seen comforting Caraline after picking her up and placing her in his patrol car to warm her up.
The toddler was unharmed, and police have released a description of a suspect in an effort to solve the crime.
Description of the offender: 5'11" to 6', medium to heavy build, possibly Hispanic, when wearing a black puffy jacket with blue jeans.
— Albuquerque Police Department (@ABQPOLICE) January 3, 2016
