A crime of opportunity led a 22-year-old female to snatch up a Dodge Caravan left with the engine running in front of its home while the owner left to make sure her home's front door was locked. The suspect made a clean getaway until she realized she had a child as a passenger in the stolen van.

The crime took place at roughly 9:34 a.m. On Sunday, June 29 in the Poplar Grove neighborhood of Salt La ke City and could have gone a lot worse for the woman who lost both her child and her vehicle when it was stolen, if not for the fact that upon realizing there was a child in the backseat, the suspect turned the vehicle around and brought it back to the owner.

Not only did the repentant car thief return the vehicle but she also parked it, exited the vehicle and went up and knocked on the owner's door and asked to wait inside for the police to come. The woman was taken into custody on charges of vehicle theft, possession of methamphetamine and stolen property—but better all that than a charge of kidnapping to boot.

For tips on how to prevent your car from being burglarized or stolen check out the SLCPD's car theft tipsheet here.

The SLCPD also encourages residents to report thefts and other criminal activity by calling 801-799-3000. To remain anonymous, tipsters can text the keyword TIPSLCPD plus any relevant info to 274637.