Children returned minutes after car they were in was stolen
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — A man stole a car with two kids inside and returned the children moments later on Tuesday night outside Bank of America in Pawtucket.
Surveillance footage showed a woman exiting her car between the bank and the CVS in the Smithfield Avenue parking lot just before 6:10 p.m.
A man then drove up to the car, jumped in the front seat and drove away.
The woman and children were seen minutes later walking back to the parking lot.
"That's probably the smartest thing to do," said CVS customer Mike about the man's decision to drop the children back off. "He shouldn't have taken the car, period. It was the wrong thing to do."
Despite the children's return, police have yet to make any arrests.
"It's definitely a surprise," said Mike. "I could see South Providence, you know, other places in the state, probably in Massachusetts, but not right here. You think it'd be pretty quiet, you know?"
The incidence was part of a string of car thefts Tuesday night.
Three cars were reported stolen between Pawtucket, Lincoln and North Providence.
As of Wednesday, only one had been recovered.
"Despite the cold weather, we want to remind residents to avoid leaving their vehicles running and unattended," said Pawtucket Police in a statement. "Residents taking proactive steps play a key role in keeping themselves and their neighbors safe."
According to Pawtucket police, the investigation is still ongoing.
