PEORIA, Ill. — Peoria Police are searching for suspects in regards to a vehicle stolen with an infant inside, according to Public Information Officer Amy Dotson.
Police responded Thursday to the area of Frye and California around 1:08 p.m.
“Upon arrival, officers did learn that a grey Dodge Charger had been left running momentarily with an 11-month-old female infant inside,” Dotson said.
The vehicle was located around 1:11 p.m. by Spring and Monroe.
“An officer attempted to stop the vehicle as it fled throughout the north valley,” Dotson said.
Police located the vehicle abandoned in the even alley of the 1000 block of NE Madison. The infant was not inside.
Witnesses said a male had fled the area on foot. Police located a 16-year-old male and transported him to the police department for questioning.
“PPD issued a code red alert advising area residents of the missing infant,” Dotson said.
Officers from the Target Offender Unit, Resident Officers, Crime Scene Investigators, Patrol Officers, and Detectives canvassed neighborhoods throughout Peoria seeking information on the infant.
Police received a call around 3:00 p.m. about a infant left alone in an alley in the 2600 block of Prospect.
“Officers arrived in the area and located the missing infant in this incident, who did appear to be in good condition,” Dotson said. “Paramedics were requested to check the welfare of the child.”
The mother and infant were reunited at the scene.
The infant was taken to a local hospital for evaluation.
The incident remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Peoria Police Department at (309) 673-4521 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (309) 673-9000.