Oakdale Police are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying and locating a man that stole an SUV from a Burchell Hill neighborhood Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 30. A child was inside the vehicle when it was taken but was later released unharmed.

Police said the man stole a 2016 black Toyota 4 Runner, California license plate number 7VRA093. Police are actively investigating the incident that began Tuesday afternoon around 2 p.m. in the 1300 block of Cindy Drive, said Lt. Joe Carrillo. The white male adult was seen in the area before the incident occurred.

The suspect jumped into the vehicle as it was parked and running in a driveway on Cindy Drive and began to drive off with a six-year-old boy in the vehicle. The suspect released the child a short distance away and continued to drive off in the stolen SUV. The child was quickly and safely returned to his mother. The vehicle was last seen travelling southbound on Maag Avenue, fleeing the area.

Officers continue to look for the suspect and the stolen SUV and are asking for the public’s assistance in possibly identifying the man captured on video surveillance. Police have checked the area for witnesses and additional video surveillance and are asking anyone who may have witnessed or captured video surveillance of the suspect or incident to contact Oakdale Police Department Detective Stilwell at (209) 847-2231.