0 At least 10 cars stolen from metro RaceTrac gas station

EAST POINT, Ga. - Police are warning metro drivers who fill up their tanks and leave the keys in their ignitions.



Channel 2 Action News has learned that police are investigating 10 stolen car cases in less than a month at the same gas station.



They say crooks are sliding into cars and stealing them from drivers who aren't paying attention.



The thefts happened at the RaceTrac on Camp Creek Parkway in East Point.



Friday, Channel 2’s cameras captured an emotional reunion after a thief drove off with a woman's child inside.



Police told Channel 2’s Liz Artz Monday that they are asking everyone who fills up to not only keep their keys with them at all times, but to watch out for their neighbors while pumping.



“They jumped in the car while she was standing here," said customer Shatara James.



Police say that's how a group of car thieves have been able to steal 10 cars in just three weeks from the gas station. They call it sliding.



That's exactly what happened to Janet Adolphus on Friday.



In surveillance video you can see the mom get out of her car to get gas. While she's pumping, a man opens the door, slips in and then drives off with her four-year-old daughter Sky in the backseat.



“My biggest nightmare… this is the biggest fear you can have,” Adolphus said about the incident.



Police recovered Adolphus' car 5 miles away. Her daughter Sky was scared, but unharmed. The thief got away.



“These are really crimes of opportunity that take place in a very short amount of time," Capt. Cliff Chandler of the East Point Police Department told Artz.



Monday night East Point police officers were at the gas station keeping a watchful eye on the pumps. Security also stood guard, but police are asking customers to be vigilant.



“Just keep an extra eye, take your keys, keep an eye out on your neighbor or everyone to help in this fight with us," Chandler said.



Police say the car theft Friday could be related to a bigger group of thieves stealing cars from the south side of town and then driving to the north end of the perimeter where they're breaking into cars.