OAKLAND PARK, FL – Authorities in Broward County are chasing leads after a shocking carjacking incident occurred Wednesday morning. A woman’s car was taken by an unidentified male with her 3-year-old child still in the backseat following a minor traffic collision.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office has intensified its search effort for the suspect, releasing CCTV footage to enlist public assistance. The harrowing event began around 8:30 a.m. on W. Commercial Blvd in Oakland Park, when the mother left her car to swap details with another driver post-collision. Seizing the moment, the thief entered her vehicle and sped off, dragging the woman a short distance as she attempted to thwart the abduction.

As the community reels from the alarming crime, the mother—who has requested anonymity—expressed her terror during those fateful moments. Bruised physically and psychologically from the ordeal, she shared her intense fear of potentially never seeing her daughter again. Her primary concern is for the swift capture of the perpetrator to prevent future incidents and facilitate her recovery.

Reassuringly, the child was found unharmed after the suspect was seen on video deserting her on the sidewalk. Vigilant bystanders stepped in to assist, keeping the toddler safe until reunited with her mother.

The police’s manhunt has been bolstered by additional surveillance footage depicting the suspect disrobing the shirt worn during the crime and subsequently using the victim’s credit card at a Family Dollar store in Fort Lauderdale. Investigators, highlighting the clarity of the video evidence, implore anyone with knowledge of the suspect’s identity to come forward.

The victim’s urgency for justice is palpable as she awaits the perpetrator’s apprehension, eager for him to face the consequences of his actions.

In the aftermath of the vehicle’s abandonment and the safe recovery of her child, the mother emphasizes her gratitude amidst her injuries, taking solace in her daughter’s security. Officials continue to urge anyone with information to contribute as the quest to locate and prosecute the suspect proceeds.