Birmingham Mum Told Thieves To Stop As They Stole Car With Baby Inside

20 July 2018, 16:51 | Updated: 20 July 2018, 16:53

Police say a mum - whose car was stolen in Birmingham with her four week old baby inside - pleaded with thieves to stop.

Clare O'Neill was run over as she tried to stop carjackers driving off with her daughter in Acocks Green yesterday. 

She's said the men risked the infant's life for "personal greed".

The 39-year-old's now been discharged from hospital after treatment - having been left with facial injuries, a broken tooth and severe pain in her right arm.

Her baby Eliza was found safe and well by an ambulance crew at a health centre in Small Heath - 45 minutes after the Audi A3 was stolen.

In a statement issued by West Midlands Police, Mrs O'Neill said: "I am still extremely shaken about what has happened and we, as a family are still trying to come to terms with what has happened.

"Eliza is thankfully safe and well, but the people responsible clearly knew she was in my car when it was taken, putting the life of our four-week-old baby at risk as a result of their personal greed.

"I have now been discharged from hospital and have sustained facial injuries, which include bruising, a broken tooth and severe pain to my right arm.

"This was caused by the wheel of my car running me over whilst I battled to stop my daughter being taken. Due to the injury to my arm I am now unable to hold Eliza for the next four or so weeks.

"I am appealing for people to come forward with any information about who is responsible or behind this, the life of my daughter was endangered by the reckless behaviour of those involved. Please come forward and assist the police with their enquiries.

"We would also like to ask for some privacy at this difficult time, whilst we come to terms with what has taken place."

Mrs O'Neill's car was stolen after she arrived home in Birmingham with Eliza in a baby carrier on the back seat.

Officers said the two offenders pounced and demanded Mrs O'Neill's car keys at about 4pm.

As Mrs O'Neill desperately tried to get her daughter out the vehicle, the callous thieves drove off, leaving her injured in the street just yards from her own front door.

A huge police operation swung into action involving dozens of specialist officers and a helicopter, in a bid to track the S-line Audi and Eliza.

The baby girl was still in her car seat when she was found, and was described by police as "blissfully unaware of the drama she had been involved in".

She was later reunited with her mother in hospital.

Capital Reports spoke with DI Jim Munro from West Midlands Police. 

More from DI Jim Munro on yesterday's car jacking in #AcocksGreen. He's told #CapitalReports the reunion between mother and daughter was "emotional." pic.twitter.com/2oMfiXs867

— Capital Brum News (@CapitalBIRNews) July 20, 2018

Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.