A Bronx man who stole a minivan on Father’s Day didn’t realize there was a baby in the back until he’d driven off, authorities said.
Victor Matos was arraigned Monday in Bronx Criminal Court on charges including kidnapping, grand larceny, criminal possession of stolen property and acting in a manner injurious to a child.
The suspect stole the vehicle around 11:30 a.m. near E. 146th St. and Third Ave. in Mott Haven while the baby’s mother popped into a bakery to pick up a cake.
The baby’s teen brother explained that the cake was for the infant’s 6-month birthday celebration. In his initial statement to authorities, Matos said, “I was driving away, and I heard a sound. I got nervous because there is a kid in there.”
Panicked, Matos dumped the car on Casanova St. in the Bronx. Prosecutors allege that even after realizing the baby was onboard, he made no effort to return the child, leaving the infant in the backseat. NYPD officers and detectives launched a frantic search for the stolen minivan, the baby and the suspect.
Within a few hours, Matos was in police custody.
“The defendant led the police to the vehicle and, thankfully, the baby was alright and reunited with the mother,” said Bronx Assistant District Attorney Juliana Rogers.
It’s unclear whether Matos turned himself in or was apprehended. An NYPD spokeswoman confirmed the vehicle was recovered within the 41st Precinct, which covers Hunts Point and Longwood.
Matos has nine prior arrests.
In November 2023, he was arrested for a similar incident in the Bronx, where he pretended to direct traffic, got a driver to stop and exit his car, then drove off with it only to crash into two cars parked nearby, according to authorities.
For that incident, he was supposed to report to Rikers Island on Dec. 1, but never showed up.
In March 2023, Matos was busted for grand larceny auto and endangering the welfare of an incompetent person in Suffolk County. After his release from Ulster Correctional Facility in May 2023, he failed to report to the parole office.
Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News
The stolen van is pictured after it was ditched at Casanova St. near Oak Point Ave. in the Bronx on Sunday. (Theodore Parisienne for New York Daily News)
Judge Eugene Bowen on Monday set Matos’ bail at $100,000 cash, $200,000 company insurance bond or $500,000 partially secured surety bond due for factors including Matos’ “criminal history” and “rap sheet.”
Matos is due back in court on June 21.
