Reward offered for arrest of person who stole car with baby inside

Mother left car running outside Fort Lauderdale laundromat when man jumped in

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. ā€“ A $3,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a young man who stole a car in Fort Lauderdale that had a sleeping baby in the back seat.

The incident was reported Monday afternoon outside of LaundroMax at 201 W. Sunrise Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale police said the mother left the car's engine on outside when a man left the laundromat and took off in her car with her 10-month-old daughter, Yareli Velasco, sleeping in the back seat.

The stolen car was later found near McNab Road and Powerline Road with Yareli safe inside.

The young man who stole the car is wanted on kidnapping and auto theft charges.

He is believed to be 16 to 20 years old, about 5 feet, 9 inches tall, about 145 pounds and has a small Afro.

He was last seen wearing a dark-colored jacket, a light-colored shirt, blue jeans and tan boots.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.