Cops: SUV stolen in Brentwood with child in back seat found minutes later

Suffolk County police are investigating the late-night theft in Brentwood of an SUV with a 3-year-old girl in the back seat who was found a short time later inside the abandoned vehicle, alone but unharmed, authorities said Monday.

The 2004 Toyota 4Runner was stolen about 10:08 p.m. Sunday from the parking lot of a Checkers restaurant on Brentwood Road, according to police.

About 10:20 p.m., the abandoned SUV was found less than a mile away on a road near the Broadway West Apartments in Brentwood, with the girl in the back seat, police said.

Third Squad detectives continued to search Monday for a male suspect they said stole the SUV.

By John Asbury

john.asbury@newsday.comJohnAsbury

John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.