Vehicle with kids inside stolen from Merritt school parking lot: RCMP

The RCMP in Merritt is reminding people not to leave their cars running and unattended after a scary incident in the city last week.

Mounties say on Dec. 9, around 3 p.m., a vehicle was stolen with two children sitting in the back. Police say the parent had left the car running in the parking lot of an elementary school while picking up another child.

RCMP says a suspect “saw a moment of opportunity” and stole the vehicle while it was still running.

 

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Officers found the vehicle “within minutes,” and the children were returned to their parents unharmed, according to Mounties.

Sgt. Josh Roda says the incident has been “traumatic” for all involved and has a reminder for the public.

“We no longer live in a day and age where we can leave our vehicles running and expect them to be there when we come back,” he said. “If you are picking up a child from school, please bring all your children with you, shut your vehicle off and lock it.”

Police say the suspect who was arrested was known to them and has since been released with strict conditions.