Family says app helped police find stolen car with kids inside
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A car left running with two kids inside was stolen Monday night, and the children’s family says an app helped police find the car and the kids.
A man is in IMPD custody after police say he stole the car around 6 p.m. Monday from a residence in the 7900 block of Bellwood Drive — near East 30th Street and North Franklin Road. A pursuit ended about 2 miles west, in the 3100 block of Priscilla Avenue.
Tiashona Sims said she had two of her cousins, a 3-month-old and a 6-year-old, in her car. She said she quickly went inside her home to pick up a card before taking them to the grocery store. She estimated she was inside for a minute.
When she came back outside, the car was gone.
When News 8 talked to her, Sims said she wanted to keep the car warm for her cousins since it’s cold out.
Just last week, News 8 spoke with law enforcement about the dangers of keeping your car running in the cold while you are inside. Sims said she realizes her mistake.
Sims said she immediately called 911 and went onto the SyncUp Drive app. She said it allows her to track her car’s location at any time. While she was on the phone with dispatch, she told first responders the location of the car.
The man, who Sims and the children’s mother said was a stranger, drove about two miles before police tracked him down and took him into custody.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the suspect was going to be tested for possible intoxication. Sims and other witnesses said he seemed drunk.
