A home carer had her car stolen while visiting an elderly and vulnerable patient.
Carrie-Ann Stead left her car parked in the street while she assisted a colleague during a visit to an elderly woman in Elm Street, Cardiff, on Friday evening.
But when the 40-year-old returned just 10 minutes later she discovered her silver Renault Captur was missing.
She told police she and a colleague saw four young men nearby who she thinks may have been responsible for the theft of the vehicle.
The Renault was later discovered parked in a hidden area behind a block of flats in the Pengam Green are of Cardiff.
South Wales Police said the vehicle has been recovered for forensic examination.
Carrie-Ann, from Llanrumney, said she was giving a colleague a lift to a visit for an elderly patient when the incident happened.
"I went to help her to do the call," she said. "We were in there for 10 minutes.
"I went to grab my handbag but I realised I left it in the car."
Carrie-Ann said the vehicle operates via a keyless locking and starting system. Thieves were able to gain entry to the car while the key fob was in her handbag.
Carrie-Ann and her colleague had just completed a £60 shopping trip for the elderly lady, which was also taken during the theft.
"I was gutted," she said.
"I sobbed my heart out. It took me about an hour and a half to walk home."
Carrie-Ann said the vehicle had been modified to allow access for her disabled 70-year-old father.
He suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, angina, asthma and is waiting for a heart operation. He's been staying in an isolated bedroom in Carrie-Ann's house during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"If he had an attack or anything this weekend, I couldn't take him in to hospital."
A South Wales Police spokeswoman said Carrie-Ann's vehicle was recovered on Sunday evening.
Carrie-Ann said the vehicle appears to be undamaged but she hasn't been able to collect it yet.
A police spokeswoman said: "Witnesses have described four young males stealing the car at around 7.20pm on April 3.
"There have been no arrests but enquiries are continuing and the car has been recovered for forensic examination.
"Anyone with information to please contact 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting occurrence number *0112788."
