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SALT LAKE CITY — A child who was inside a stolen car was found earlier Tuesday evening.
An individual stole a black, 2006 Chrysler 300 at 4:45 p.m. at 653 S Redwood Rd with 3-year-old Darina Coincua inside, according to Det. Greg Wilking with the Salt Lake City Police Department.
Police found the car 45 minutes after it was stolen near 900 S 1500 West, which was a few blocks away from the apartment complex where the car originally was taken. The child was found sitting in the front seat and was in good health, according to Wilking.
The vehicle was turned off with the keys in the ignition and the window had been rolled down, Wilking said.
"I'm guessing that they probably panicked," Wilking noted. "I think that they felt that they were in danger with having a stolen vehicle with a child and didn't want to have any harm come to the child."
Darina was reunited with her grandmother, who had left the car running while she went into an apartment complex to talk to a relative, Wilking said.
She had been with her grandma because Darina's mom was in the hospital and was about to give birth.
Police are still looking for the individual who stole the car and are checking forensic evidence from the vehicle in addition to surveillance footage from the apartment complex, Wilking said.
An Amber Alert was issued, then canceled once the child was found.
Contributing: Andrew Adams
