Police in West Orange are on the search for a suspect wanted for stealing a running vehicle that had a child inside Wednesday.
According to West Orange Police officials, at approximately 12:12 p.m., patrol units responded to Columbia Street on a reported theft of a motor vehicle with a child inside.
Police officials said the mother of the child and owner of the vehicle stated to police that she left the car running -with her child in the backseat- while running into a store.
Officers canvassing the area recovered the vehicle almost immediately a block away with the child inside uninjured.
Police say the suspect abandoned the stolen vehicle upon realizing a child was in the car and fled the scene.
A description of the suspect was given to police by a witness who was last seen walking southbound on Columbia Street towards Watchung Avenue in a frantic manner.
According to police, the child was unharmed and the mother refused medical attention for her and the child.
West Orange Police continues to remind residents never to leave a vehicle running. Children should not be left alone in cars, especially during inclement weather.
The incident remains under investigation.