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7-Month-Old Found Safe After Suspect Stole Jeep In The Bronx

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A young baby was found safe in the Bronx after being in a vehicle that was stolen Tuesday evening, police said.

As 1010 WINS' Al Jones reported, the incident happened at Morris Avenue and East Kingsbridge Road just before 7 p.m.

Patrick Julbe stopped his car in front of a Boost Mobile store, got out and entered the store. He left the car running with the keys in the ignition and his 7-month-old daughter, Ayanna Julbe, in the back seat, police said.

7-Month-Old Found Safe After Suspect Stole Jeep In The Bronx

Patrick Julbe went into the store, and when the baby's mother went to join him, the thief struck.

"He said, 'Oh, look at this phone. She stepped out for a second as well,'" said family friend Krystal Guzman. "As she stepped out, some dude took the truck and apparently didn't know the baby was in the back."

"When my daughter called me and said the truck was stolen with the baby inside, we thought we would never see the baby again," added family friend Sonia Rodriguez.

Guzman got a call saying the baby had been stolen.

"I called my daughter's father to ask if it was true that they stole his truck, and he's crying hysterical, saying, 'Yeah, they took his truck with his 6-month-old (sic) daughter in the back,'" Guzman said.

Police put helicopters in the air, and flooded the streets.

The 2005 silver Jeep Grand Cherokee with Pennsylvania plates was found less than an hour later at Jerome Avenue and Goble Place -- about two miles away from where the car was taken, police said, adding that a tipster phoned in the location.

Police said they believe the carjacker may be someone who lives in the neighborhood, since he only had seconds to decide before swiping the jeep.

"There were cameras where he left the truck, so, hopefully, they'll catch the guy," Guzman said.

The child was taken to Montefiore Hospital for evaluation. By late Tuesday night, little Ayanna was said to be resting comfortably, and, friends said, blissfully unaware of the ordeal she went through.

Police said the parents will not be charged for being inattentive.

Authorities did not immediately release a description of the suspect.

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