Police have reminded the public not to leave their cars running or unlocked after an attempted theft in Hawker last night, while a four-year-old boy was in the vehicle.
At about 5pm on Tuesday, a woman stepped out of her car on Bonrook Street in Hawker to speak to another woman, while her four-year-old son remained in the vehicle.
The woman left the engine running and the driver's door open while she was on the street.
During this time, a man entered the vehicle via the open door and began to drive off before "a short struggle occurred and the man stopped the vehicle soon after", an ACT Policing spokesperson said.
The man then jumped into a Silver SUV driven by another person and departed towards Beetaloo Street.
The woman and the child were not harmed and immediately called authorities, the spokesperson said.
"The man was described as having a tanned complexion, 25-40 years old with a muscular build."
"The vehicle the man left in was described as a Silver Kia Sportage SUV."
Police are investigating and have a number of persons of interest, while anyone with information is to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
"Police remind drivers that with modern vehicles' standard security features, car thefts are often opportunistic," the police spokesperson said.
"Thieves need to either steal the keys, or in this instance a vehicle open, with the engine running."
They reminded the public never to leave an unattended vehicle running or unlocked, not to leave valuables in the car and to be aware of where they are parking at night, using a well-lit area, if they are unable to park in a garage.
