Thieves smash window, take purse while young girl inside minivan at Beavercreek daycare

BEAVERCREEK — A 5-year-old girl was locked in a minivan, watching a Disney show Wednesday morning when thieves smashed out the window and grabbed a purse in front.

The girl’s mother said she was inside KinderCare, at 2755 Lillian Lane, for only a couple minutes dropping off her baby, and that she thought her oldest child would be safe in the far back seat of the van parked in front of the building with its doors locked and alarm activated.

“As I’m entering my car I see my passenger window shattered, my child terrified, crying in the back, and then my purse missing,” the mother posted on Facebook, warning other parents to be vigilant.

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The suspects are described as two males driving a small gray Mitsubishi SUV with Michigan license plates. The SUV was seen a short time later in the area of the Primrose Academy on North Fairfield Road, police said.

Initially, Beavercreek police said there was not a child inside the minivan during the theft, but later on Wednesday revised their statement.

The victim said she never thought this would happen.

“Scary that these people are just lurking in the parking lots and now we have to worry about just the safety of your vehicle just so you can drop your child off,” she said.

The victim’s wallet with some of her credit cards were found was dumped nearby along North Fairfield Road, but cash was missing.

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“Even if you are running in and out for just seconds bring your purse, wallets, backpacks, bring your keys, lock your doors, don't leave any valuable items in your car,” police said. “It only takes a minute to gather your things, but it will take hours of calling credit card companies, banks and cellphone companies to cancel your accounts and report the theft and start over.”

Police also are checking with other daycare facilities in the city to see whether there are any other victims.

Beavercreek police investigated a similar incident on Aug. 21 and were able to file charges against a suspect.