Woman steals car from San Jose driveway, with baby in backseat

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KTVU) - It was a terrifying few moments for San Jose parents as they watched a woman drive off in their SUV with their baby strapped in the back seat.

KTVU talked with the girl's relieved father who chased after the suspect to try to rescue his daughter.

Miguel Rodriguez and his wife Elizabeth had loaded the baby in the Jeep a little after 7 a.m. Sunday to go to the park. He says they went back inside for about 20 seconds, before discovering the Jeep had vanished from their driveway on Story Road near Hopkins Avenue.

Rodriguez hopped into another car to try to follow the thief. Luckily it only took officers a few minutes to find the SUV, which was left in a nearby neighborhood, with 8-month-old Genesis crying, but safe.

Police tracked down the suspect, later identified as 36-year-old Terria Artiga, and arrested her.

She was booked into the County Jail for kidnapping and possession of the stolen vehicle.

The parents say they'll never leave little Genesis unattended again, not even for a few seconds to load the car.