This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Salt Lake City police say an opportunistic car thief quickly abandoned his or her latest acquisition after finding a 4-year-old girl sleeping inside.

Police say the girl's grandmother had left the car unlocked and running about 6 p.m. Tuesday while she went inside the Eagle's Landing Apartments complex, located in the 600 block of Redwood Road.

Seeing the apparently unoccupied car with the keys in the ignition, the thief decided to jump behind the wheel and drive off, said Detective Greg Wilking.

However, police found the car, abandoned about five blocks away, less than an hour later. The girl was still inside.

Police reunited the girl with her family.

Detectives reportedly were trying to get a description of the thief by interviewing residents and possibly reviewing security camera footage. Wilking also said it was hoped that leads could be generated from any fingerprints and DNA recovered from the vehicle.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call SLCPD at 801-799-3000, or text TIPSLCPD and relevant details to 274637.

Twitter: @remims