Chicago police searching for suspect after car stolen with girl, 3, inside in South Loop: 'Monster'

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police are searching for the thief who stole a car with a 3-year-old girl inside in the South Loop Wednesday night.

Police said a 26-year-old woman got out of her Chevy Equinox for a brief moment about 8:30 p.m. in the 1200-block of South Clinton Street while leaving her 3-year-old daughter in the vehicle. In that time, the suspect jumped into the car in the busy area and drove off.

The thief dropped the child, who is turning 4 next month, off in the 500-block of West Jackson Boulevard where a security officer found her and called police.

The girl had been wandering in an alley near Union Station, Chicago police said.

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Shortly after, the car was found empty in the 4400-block of South Shields Avenue in Canaryville, police said. CPD had been able to track the vehicle, which was left running, on local streets and the expressway.

The child was taken to Lurie Children's Hospital in good condition for observation, but she is traumatized, family said.

The child's great-grandmother was relieved but angry Thursday morning.

She's hoping police will find the person who has traumatized their family.

"I'm just so happy that she's alright because anything could have happened to her," Glecia Hood said.

Hood said she can't thank God enough that her great-granddaughter, 3-year-old Kartier Lee, was found safe.

"Just knowing that she was left in some alley, but I'm just grateful somebody found her," Hood said.

Hood said the girl's mother had stopped by a Chick-fil-A to quickly check the length of the line when someone got in the car and drove off with the child.

"We got the phone call, my granddaughter screaming, 'they took my baby they took my baby,'" Hood said.

She said she's praying for swift justice.

"I just hope they can be found," Hood said. "I'm so angry -- monster."

No one is currently in custody. Area Three detectives are investigating.

No description of the suspect was available Thursday morning, but there are cameras in the areas where the child was taken and found.