Pocatello police searching for suspect who stole car with infant inside; baby girl later found unharmed

Pocatello police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a suspect alleged to have stolen a local mother’s vehicle on Tuesday night with her sick infant still inside.

The entire ordeal lasted only about 15 minutes but was long enough to leave the mother terrified of what could have happened.

The ill 4-month-old baby girl was returned to her mother Tuesday night and officers on Wednesday morning located the woman’s Dodge Journey on West Alameda Road.

The incident began to unfold around 8:40 p.m. Tuesday at the Pocatello Walgreens on the 900 block of Yellowstone Avenue when the local mother parked her vehicle and ran into the drug store to get her ill 4-month-old baby girl some medicine, police said.

But the mother unfortunately left her vehicle running.

With the mother inside Walgreens, the suspect stole her vehicle and sped away.

The terrified mother immediately called 911 after exiting Walgreens and realizing that her vehicle and infant daughter were gone.

Pocatello police began an immediate search for the suspect that remains ongoing. Officers on Wednesday released photos of the suspected vehicle thief and are asking for the public’s help in identifying him.

About 15 minutes after the initial theft, a local resident found the baby girl and her car seat in a grassy area off nearby Wilson Avenue and contacted police.

Pocatello police converged on the scene, located the infant and reunited her with her mom.

Police are asking for the public's assistance in bringing the suspect to justice. If you have any information that could help in the investigation, please contact the Pocatello Police Department immediately at 208-234-6100.