Mother gets earful from her car thief

[IRiSHMaFIA]

Suspect returns vehicle after discovering a toddler inside, then gives victim a lecture.

Police said a Jacksonville mom who left her sleeping toddler in the car while ducking into a store came outside after a few minutes to find both gone Tuesday night.

But the thief got more than he bargained for. When he saw the 1-year-old, police said he quickly returned the car and the child before giving the mother a parenting lecture.

"That's what you get for leaving your kid and keys inside of your vehicle! You got what you deserved!" he told the 25-year-old woman outside the auto parts store before running away, according to the Sheriff's Office incident report.

Witnesses described the thief as a black male with gold teeth and braided hair. He was wearing a white tank top, black pants with the word "G-Unit" on the side, and an orange baseball cap turned backward. He had driven away in the woman's bronze 2002 Nissan Altima before coming back.

The incident happened about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday at the Advance Discount Auto Parts store at 10014 Atlantic Blvd. when the mother went in to buy some motor oil.

The woman said Friday that the incident was the first time she ever left her son alone in the car and she will never do it again.

The Times-Union isn't identifying her because the culprit remains at large.

Although the mother said she is grateful to get her son back, she said she still wants the thief caught.

"That man did do wrong. What goes around comes around," she said.

[major.tom]

[IRiSHMaFIA]

[eefanincan]

I can't excuse either of their actions, really. But sadly, these days, I'm still shocked more by the parents who leave their small children unattended.

[major.tom]

Granted, the guys a car thief. But he did have the decency to return the car (and child) it to the location from which he stole it, rather than just ditching them both.

[nekokate]

One's a criminal, the other's an irresponsible mother. At least the thief had some sort of morality. Same way Bonnie and Clyde would only rob banks, and not the customers of the bank.

[girldorksrule]

Two criminals...one with a heart.