EDMONTON — A 23-year-old man is facing several charges after allegedly stealing a vehicle that had an eight-month-old baby inside.
The incident happened at around 5:45 p.m. Monday in the area of 82 Avenue and 89 Street.
Police said a 29-year-old woman left her eight-month-old baby girl inside a running vehicle in the parking lot of the Value Village while she and her friend went inside to shop.
While the pair was inside, the vehicle was stolen.
Police and the Canine Unit quickly located the vehicle and the male suspect at a fast food restaurant in the area of 87 Avenue and 109 Street. The baby girl was not harmed in the incident; she was still in her car seat.
“My understanding from the officers who were at the scene was that there was a lapse of judgement on the parents part, felt they would only be inside shopping for a few moments and didn’t even recognize they were putting their child at risk,” said Sgt. Gary Willits with the Edmonton Police Service’s Child At Risk Response Team.
“Is a moment of convenience worth a lifetime of regret?”
Police arrested 23-year-old James Bachnick. He has since been charged with theft under $5,000, criminal flight, possession of stolen property and two counts of breach of conditions.
Willits said at this point it’s not known if the suspect knew the child was in the vehicle or not.
The Child at Risk Response Team is still investigating.
Charges have not been laid against the mother.
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