Collin Munro, 31, has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, possession of stolen property, obstruction, breach conditions, and an outstanding warrant. The accused is currently remanded.
Background:
At approximately 9:58 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, police received a 911 call regarding a theft of motor vehicle in progress in the area of 122 Avenue and 154 Street. It was reported that a 36-year-old female was attending a business, and briefly left her Audi A3 unlocked and running with the keys in the ignition when it was allegedly stolen. It was also reported that her 1-year-old baby girl was strapped into a child safety seat in the backseat of the vehicle.
Multiple police units immediately responded to the area and a Northwest Division Patrol unit came upon the stolen vehicle in an industrial area at 121 Avenue and 154 Street. The adult male suspect attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended by an EPS Canine Unit a short distance away in an industrial compound. The suspect suffered minor injuries and was treated by EMS. The baby was located safe and unharmed in her baby seat within the vehicle. The entire incident was resolved within 15 minutes of being reported and the baby was reunited with her mother.
Police took a 31-year-old man into custody. The incident was believed to be a random crime of opportunity, and that the man did not know there was a child in the vehicle at the time of the theft.
The EPS Child at Risk Response Team (CARRT) followed-up with the 36-year-old mother, but due to the unique set of circumstances involved, there were no charges laid against her.