Detectives are on the hunt for a man they say stole a car with a 3-year-old boy inside on Saturday just after 8 a.m.
Broward Sheriff’s deputies found the car within minutes. The boy was still inside the car, unharmed.
The car was stolen from an IHOP at 3101 W. Oakland Park Blvd., detectives said. The boy’s mother was walking out of the restaurant when she realized her car was missing.
Deputies found the car less than 3 miles away at 1901 NW 40th Ave. in Fort Lauderdale, said Miranda Grossman, a spokeswoman for the sheriff’s office.
Detectives have identified the suspect as Phillip J. Pepe Jr.
Pepe, 33, has a tattoo on his right arm and an abrasion under his left eye. He was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and blue shorts.
Deputies set up a perimeter near the area and conducted a search with help from the agency’s Aviation and K-9 units, but were not able to track down the suspect.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Det. Michael Sgro at 954-321-4256 or submit a tip through the SaferWatch App.
If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477). You can also share your tip online at browardcrimestoppers.org or dial **TIPS (8477) from your cellphone.
Susannah Bryan can be reached at sbryan@sunsentinel.com or on Twitter @Susannah_Bryan.
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