Hilary Grotewold was taking her 4-year-old son to pre-K when she stopped at a gas station to put air in a tire Thursday morning.
Grotewold said that was when a thief jumped into her SUV and took off on a wild ride with her son still buckled into his car seat.
The young mom’s worst nightmare occurred at the Racetrac station on Marietta Boulevard in northwest Atlanta just before 8 a.m. on Thursday.
“I was getting air in my tire and I felt the car start to move,” Grotewold told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I thought I forgot to put it in park, and I realized it was going too fast for that, so when I looked up, there was someone in the driver’s seat and I realized it was being stolen.”
Without concern for her own safety, Grotewold sprang into action to save her son.
“I jumped on the roof and started yelling, ‘there’s a baby in the car, there’s a baby in the car,’” Grotewold told the AJC. “He lurched forward so I kind of fell off to the side, so I jumped onto the mirror and tried to hang on to that, and then I rolled off.”
The heartless car thief ignored Grotweold’s pleas and sped out of the gas station — with Grotewold giving chase on foot. “I chased him down the street and started yelling, ‘you have my baby, you have my baby.'”
Thankfully, the thief pulled into the parking lot of a nearby CVS pharmacy and abandoned the vehicle with the boy inside.
“Luckily, I think he just wanted my purse and my cell phone so he took all of that and ran off,” Grotewold said, adding that her son was safe, but “just really scared.”
Atlanta police described the suspect as a black male wearing a gray hat and carrying a gray backpack. He was last seen running east on Marietta Boulevard toward LaDawn Lane.
Grotewold was shaken but relived to have her son back. “When something like that happens to your baby, you just want him to be safe,” she said.
Photos: JOHN SPINK/JSPINK@AJC.COM
More from Sandrarose.com:
Chillle
that man did NOT want any parts of that child
That shot of her and her son kissing is adorable
Dumb asses
folks still stealing cars huh
glad her and her child are ok
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out!
Whenever I hear folks talmbout “I want a baby yada yada yada” I politely tell them ‘ok, but be sure that you are ready. YOU CAN NOT EVEN STOP AT THE CORNER STORE etc’.
I’m not mad at the thief, more so at the mom. Thank GOD her baby is safe!
Chillle
that man did NOT want any parts of that child
___________
That’s exactly what I said earlier. Shiit they aint taking care of their own chirren. They not taking on nobody else’s.
Same thing happened a couple of weeks ago here in VA….mom stopped in to see a friend and someone jumped into her car and drove off with her kids
I can’t image…
I hope they catch this fcuker. Can’t have shat without somebody wanting to take it.
Glad this ended well.
A.J. says:Chillle
that man did NOT want any parts of that child
___________
That’s exactly what I said earlier. Shiit they aint taking care of their own chirren. They not taking on nobody else’s.
~
~
Right!
DUDE:
BABY:
Dude:
BABY:
LOL!
“He lurched forward so I kind of fell off to the side, so I jumped onto the mirror and tried to hang on to that, and then I rolled off.”
_______________
That episode of Martin when they won the SUV and Jerome was hanging on that mirror!
he thought about that kidnapping charge and said fukk it.. what a terrible thing to go thru
glad the cutie is safe…
@A.J.
Ur so SToooooooooooooooooooooooopiD!!!!1
<–Doesn't Talk To Strangers says: Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out! _________________ Exactly! When I get out of my car at a gas station my keys go with me. AND I lock my car, even though I'm standing right there pumping gas. :no:
That episode of Martin when they won the SUV and Jerome was hanging on that mirror!
LAWD Jerome and his names for Gina and Pam 
======================
RED…JUNK
<–Doesn't Talk To Strangers says:
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out!
Whenever I hear folks talmbout “I want a baby yada yada yada” I politely tell them ‘ok, but be sure that you are ready. YOU CAN NOT EVEN STOP AT THE CORNER STORE etc’.
I’m not mad at the thief, more so at the mom. Thank GOD her baby is safe!
—————
You're right about taking the keys out. I'll give her a pass this time, cause I'm guilty of leaving the keys in just to shoot some air a tire real quick.
I’m glad she had enough sense to run after the vehicle. Most don’t-just be hollerin in the middle of the street-aint moved an inch.
A.J. says:
“He lurched forward so I kind of fell off to the side, so I jumped onto the mirror and tried to hang on to that, and then I rolled off.”
_______________
That episode of Martin when they won the SUV and Jerome was hanging on that mirror!
————-
“Is that Junk in da Trunk”
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out
__________
exactly!!! I cant believe this day in time people still leaving the car running and going off.. Anyway even if im puttin air in the tire i have my son get out with me.
‘ll give her a pass this time, cause I’m guilty of leaving the keys in just to shoot some air a tire real quick.
_________________
But are you leaving chirren in the car tho? No passes.
But Goat, I don’t think that you leave Goat Jr in the car with the keys in it
—
I always think about kidnapping for some reason
BRAVO
wants to give JOSE a shot on RHOA
Mike Epps Says That His ‘OLDER KIDS’ Are UGLY . . . Claims They’re MAD At His ‘NEW KIDS’ . . . Who Are ‘CUTE’ And Have ‘GOOD HAIR
REDICKULOUS is Wanted For DIRTY DANCING . . . With A NEKKID HIGH SCHOOL BOY!!!!
Pickachu Tran says:
he thought about that kidnapping charge and said fukk it.. what a terrible thing to go thru
glad the cutie is safe…
———–
If he get caught, he should still get charged for kidnapping.
“Is that Junk in da Trunk”
_________________
“Junk”
She almost lost her son, her vehicle, her purse and her cell phone, all in one fell swoop. Just to put some air in her tire.
goat76 says:If he get caught, he should still get charged for kidnapping.
~
He will
Oh my God just reading this has my heart racing. I can’t begin to image what that’s like. What a fucking loser. I hope they catch his sorry ass not just for the carjacking but just for putting the child and his mother through such an ordeal. But cheers and screams to the mother for doing what she did. It may not have been the wisest because she could have gotten hurt herself but you do what you have to for your kids and their safety. that last picture is priceless.
@AJ and DTTS….. I probably would’ve done the same thing to put air in the tire. To go inside the store or something like that, I wouldn’t have left the keys or the kid in the car.
I don’t put blame on the mom for anything…there is only one person wrong in this and that’s the criminal
As a mother, you have to think about the ‘what ifs’. Criminals are everywhere doing what they do. People better wise up.
These parents need to stop leaving these kids in these cars with the doors wide open and keys in the ignition. I locked the doors when I pumped gas b/c I didn’t want any shyt popping off with my baby in that car. If I went in the store to get gum, my child went with me none of that leaving your child in the car shyt. I know me and I know the psycho side of me that is gonna show slam up if you mess with my child. So for the safety of all parties it’s best that I take added precaution.
She almost lost her son, her vehicle, her purse and her cell phone, all in one fell swoop. Just to put some air in her tire.
________________
There were days when men used to check on their woman’s vehicle. Those days are long gone.
Bet money she won’t do this again
Like I said Thank GOD this ended ok
Off to my freebie lunch
Lawd for Jesus! I was right there running with her, as I was reading. Mothers will turn in Animals from the wild to protect their young.
Thank God For Jesus, Chld and mom were unarmed.
Ummm well my father still had us in the car when he put air in his tires and when he had us in the car. The only one to blame in this scenario is the effing loser who jumped in.
No one is thinking..oh yeah someone is gonna hop in the car when i’m filling air in my tires. NO ONE.
Exactly! When I get out of my car at a gas station my keys go with me. AND I lock my car, even though I’m standing right there pumping gas.
These parents need to stop leaving these kids in these cars with the doors wide open and keys in the ignition. I locked the doors when I pumped gas b/c
__________
Don’t got no small babies, but I swear to Baby Jose. I would go into 50 yard dash if somebody put there arm in there and tried to steal one of my babies. (purse)
I lock my car to pump gas, and ONLY GET GAS in the day time. You know Human Trafficking is at all time high! 34 MILLION DOLLAR BIZ
I’m not mad at the thief, ”
Really?! I am not a fan of victim blaming. You can take every precaution in the world and fugged up chit still happens.
BRAVO
wants to give JOSE a shot on RHOA
Mike Epps Says That His ‘OLDER KIDS’ Are UGLY . . . Claims They’re MAD At His ‘NEW KIDS’ . . . Who Are ‘CUTE’ And Have ‘GOOD HAIR
^^^SHYT SELF-HATING BLACK MEN SAY
in the Jetta? Or just the Benz?
___________
I’m sure both.
wants to give JOSE a shot on RHOA
___________
Please stop. Is English not a requirement any longer?
Mike Epps Says That His ‘OLDER KIDS’ Are UGLY . . . Claims They’re MAD At His ‘NEW KIDS’ . . . Who Are ‘CUTE’ And Have ‘GOOD HAIR
____________________________________________________________________
Now I’m not being funny but there are no air tire pumps at the gas stations near where I live.
JOSE on RHOA.
How is Lawerence and Derek J gonna feel.
GA, hey boo!!
Crazy sheeeeet going on in the world ain’t it
JOSE on RHOA.
How is Lawerence and Derek J gonna feel.
___________
Like they look.
*scrolls back up…Meant to say unharmed.
A.J. says:
JOSE on RHOA.
How is Lawerence and Derek J gonna feel.
___________
Like they look
_________
Surprised auntie aint post the pic of beyonce snatch that’s floating around
or maybe it’s old
This dude on FB whom is black posted “If you ain’t mixed with some exotic shyt we can only f*uck and that’s it, I’ll marry those exotic looking bishes only, no offense to ya’ll black chicks we can only f*uck and that’s it”
I let his a$$ have it and then deleted him 
What I miss???
So Ochocinco done adopted a homeless man named Porkchop and took him to the strip club???
FuturedocDonte says:
Surprised auntie aint post the pic of beyonce snatch that’s floating around or maybe it’s old
———-
luVn_liFe… says:
That shot of her and her son kissing is adorable
**********************
@ Chan hey bae!
Nawl just most of our black men are losing their daymn mind that’s all
@DOC – Didn’t see that, but I read how H&M Allegedly photoshopped her hips away.
Now I’m not being funny but there are no air tire pumps at the gas stations near where I live.
____________________________________________________________________
BP, Flash Foods
A.J. says:
There were days when men used to check on their woman’s vehicle. Those days are long gone.
___________________
I remember those days real men would check the oil, the gas and the tires, so their wives would never have to stop for anything. You’re right: those days are long gone.
Just Looking says:
Lawd for Jesus! I was right there running with her, as I was reading. Mothers will turn in Animals from the wild to protect their young.
__________________
FuturedocDonte says:
Surprised auntie aint post the pic of beyonce snatch that’s floating around or maybe it’s old
____________
WHERE?
Sandra Rose says:
A.J. says:
There were days when men used to check on their woman’s vehicle. Those days are long gone.
___________________
I remember those days real men would check the oil, the gas and the tires, so their wives would never have to stop for anything. You’re right: those days are long gone.
———————————
There were days when men used to check on their woman’s vehicle. Those days are long gone.
by A.J. on May 30, 2013 at 1:21 pm
————————————–
Blaming the mother because some sorry SOB wants to steal my stuff. Leaving the key in my own stuff (so want to curse), is my priority, its my stuff. Get a job and get your own. Thieving you know whats!
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire. Especially early in the morning (even with a child in the car). Thank God they’re both okay, however this could have happened to anyone.
Now I’m not being funny but there are no air tire pumps at the gas stations near where I live.
____________________________________________________________________
BP, Flash Foods
________________
near me at the corner is Chevron and them Indians do not want nothing but gas pumping going on!! All that extra stuff take your car to a tire place or dealership.
Beleive it or not in Sanford FL…..
Two Florida Papa John’s employees were fired after accidentally leaving a racist voicemail on the machine of a customer who allegedly tipped him poorly.
On May 19, a black Papa John’s customer from Sanford, Fla., received a message on his iPhone, allegedly from the man who had just delivered his pizza, The Daily Dot reports. Apparently, the Papa John’s employee didn’t realize he had “butt-dialed” the customer and proceeded to leave an N-word ridden, racist voicemail complaining about the tip.
Jacked from Huffington Post…but you can listen to Voicemail on WSHH
near me at the corner is Chevron and them Indians do not want nothing but gas pumping going on!! All that extra stuff take your car to a tire place or dealership.
_________________________________________________________________
Speak for yourself…my husband STILL does ALL that
_______________
Lucky indeed!
y a homeless dude need to go to the strip club
—————————
F making it rain…. Homeboy was banking all them ones in his pocket though
@ Just Looking I heard it just disrespectful
he said some bout niggers don’t tip etc 
@FREDA & BINKS
@GA – His pizza was 15.26. He gave a 21 percent tip. Which is sufficient.
I’m not fixing to give you more than 15% for a pizza. I’m not tipped when I get to work, or when I leave for the day. Glad they were fired.
I could not imagine living life being so afraid of everything.
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
_________________
Hole up..just read this. It is no act, these are things that I do and most people I know do. Where I come from, if you don’t you have no car (simple as that).
Just Looking says:
@GA – His pizza was 15.26. He gave a 21 percent tip. Which is sufficient.
I’m not fixing to give you more than 15% for a pizza. I’m not tipped when I get to work, or when I leave for the day. Glad they were fired.
————————-
I think they add-on $5 for a gas charge. Well they do that here.
So they lucky they got 21%
Pickachu Tran says:
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out
__________
exactly!!! I cant believe this day in time people still leaving the car running and going off.. Anyway even if im puttin air in the tire i have my son get out with me.
~~~~~~~~
The car should not be running at all. That baby could have easily ran over his own mother.
His pizza was 15.26
_____________
Inflation. I would never pay that much for a pizza.
A.J. says:
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
_________________
Hole up..just read this. It is no act, these are things that I do and most people I know do. Where I come from, if you don’t you have no car (simple as that).
^^^^^^^^
I agree. Just like you don’t leave your wallet or purse visible in the car. Caution………..
I lock my doors to use my card at the pump. You never know…….
Too many stories of this happening.
Afta-noon!
Inflation. I would never pay that much for a pizza.
________________________________________________________
Me neither they better start picking they own shyt up
Papa Johns do those weekday deals 
BRAVO
wants to give JOSE a shot on RHOA
Mike Epps Says That His ‘OLDER KIDS’ Are UGLY . . . Claims They’re MAD At His ‘NEW KIDS’ . . . Who Are ‘CUTE’ And Have ‘GOOD HAIR
RE****ULOUS is Wanted For DIRTY DANCING . . . With A NEKKID HIGH SCHOOL BOY!!!!
——
Excuse me, you mean Jose like the chick/guy from love and hip hop?! And Mike Epps needs to stop smoking.
Anna says:
Pickachu Tran says:
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out
__________
exactly!!! I cant believe this day in time people still leaving the car running and going off.. Anyway even if im puttin air in the tire i have my son get out with me.
~~~~~~~~
The car should not be running at all. That baby could have easily ran over his own mother.
^^^^^
@ Apparition who is that in your avi!
Yeah they add on 3 or 4 for gas.
NO LIE…ONCE this white dude dropped office pizza back in Jan and this MOFO had the nerve to tell me he had to close the store, and didn’t have enough money to drive all the way back home and was gonna sleep in his car.
I called all the men to the door, I wanted my man to fight him. But him told him to Blank out of our yard. Then he called the store.
A.J. says:
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
~~~~~~~~~
My windows stay rolled up, and doors locked, even if I’m running in the house because I forgot my glasses. I don’t want someone to walk by, and be able to hit the trunk button, or steal my Grand’s car seat.
Tisch wassup
A.J. says:
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
I only have to be near my car and a nicca can jump in and 
—-
Especially wit these push to start cars.
Sorry but tops i’m givng a pizza delivery dude is 2 or 3 dollars (if I just got plowed down and i’m feeling nice)
I wish you would demand more. Nigga you are a pizza delivery man. How hard is that to do? Please. He deserved to get fired.
Effing Ming Lee n em be riding bikes to deliver..your stupid ass has a car, you will give me my chicken tenders n pizza n bounce.
Gigi26 says:
Sorry but tops i’m givng a pizza delivery dude is 2 or 3 dollars (if I just got plowed down and i’m feeling nice)
I wish you would demand more. Nigga you are a pizza delivery man. How hard is that to do? Please. He deserved to get fired.
Effing Ming Lee n em be riding bikes to deliver..your stupid ass has a car, you will give me my chicken tenders n pizza n bounce.
^^^^^^^
And it barely be warm tew?!?!?!?!?!
Effing Ming Lee n em be riding bikes to deliver..your stupid ass has a car, you will give me my chicken tenders n pizza n bounce.
_____________________________________________________________________
Anna says:
A.J. says:
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
~~~~~~~~~
My windows stay rolled up, and doors locked, even if I’m running in the house because I forgot my glasses. I don’t want someone to walk by, and be able to hit the trunk button, or steal my Grand’s car seat.
^^^^^^
Okay. A mug will kill you and your children’s children for less than that. People out here starving, but I guess people live with Andy and nem in Mayberry.
Please stop acting like all you guys turn your cars off, take the keys out the ignition and lock the doors to put air in your tire.
folks need to speak for themselves; do not speak for me!! I know what to do. If that’s what you do, OWN it and suffer the consequence.
______________
My windows stay rolled up, and doors locked, even if I’m running in the house because I forgot my glasses. I don’t want someone to walk by, and be able to hit the trunk button, or steal my Grand’s car seat.
______________
GAGIRL87 says:This dude on FB whom is black posted “If you ain’t mixed with some exotic shyt we can only f*uck and that’s it, I’ll marry those exotic looking bishes only, no offense to ya’ll black chicks we can only f*uck and that’s it” I let his a$$ have it and then deleted him
~
~
My nephew thinks like this!
Okay MzTish!! My shyt be barely warm n they want a big tip not to mention that the damn Papa Johns is literally three blocks away from my spot (don’t judge me I ain’t fighting off no winos n crackheads for shyt Lol) and you take 15 mins to get there..then don’t wanna WALK OUT TO THE DOOR, DESPITE me putting that down in the directions, then you wanna give me lip n talk shyt?! Nah son, eff that
This dude on FB whom is black posted “If you ain’t mixed with some exotic shyt we can only f*uck and that’s it, I’ll marry those exotic looking bishes only, no offense to ya’ll black chicks we can only f*uck and that’s it” I let his a$$ have it and then deleted him
Welp that’s an easy de-friend.
————————-
Uhhh lmaoooo
Any dude that says some shyt like this is beyond “special” and will be treated as such. Cuz if you got that nigga gene and blood running up and through your veins, you have NO ROOM to talk about what you’ll do to black chics…your mother was one of them. COON ass nigra.
@GA
Dr. Manhattan
Sorry but tops i’m givng a pizza delivery dude is 2 or 3 dollars (if I just got plowed down and i’m feeling nice)
I wish you would demand more. Nigga you are a pizza delivery man. How hard is that to do? Please. He deserved to get fired.
Effing Ming Lee n em be riding bikes to deliver..your stupid ass has a car, you will give me my chicken tenders n pizza n bounce.
I just do not feel comfortable with pizza delivery drivers coming to my house looking like they’re on some type of street drug. I’ll continue to pick up my self-rising Freshcetta from my local store. 
_____________
@GA… I know here, after a certain time they only deliver, no pick-ups.
@Taken… :wave: WTF yo delivery man was no that sh1t!!
The pizza man would NOT come to our neighbor hood, I used to call anyways, they be like “We can meet you somewhere”
Sandra Rose says:
<–Doesn't Talk To Strangers says:
Take the friggin keys outta the car whenever you get out!
_________________
Exactly! When I get out of my car at a gas station my keys go with me. AND I lock my car, even though I'm standing right there pumping gas
_________________________________________________
I will start doing this!!!
luVn_liFe… says:
GAGIRL87 says:This dude on FB whom is black posted “If you ain’t mixed with some exotic shyt we can only f*uck and that’s it, I’ll marry those exotic looking bishes only, no offense to ya’ll black chicks we can only f*uck and that’s it” I let his a$$ have it and then deleted him
~
~
My nephew thinks like this!
————
I got a homeboy like this…. Can’t do nothing but shake my head. He said he won’t even fcuk with black females(dark, brown, light-skin).
He married to a Puerto Rican
iAmChan says:
The pizza man would NOT come to our neighbor hood, I used to call anyways, they be like “We can meet you somewhere”
_______________________
LMAOOOO we can meet you somewhere smh!
Hey Goat
One time I had a pizz order that was about $17 and I gave a $20. The old Delivery man said you know I get paid by tips? I was so mad I just said ok. How rude! You chose to work there :duel.
I can’t imagine getting out of the car and leaving the keys inside while putting air in my tire — with or without a kid inside.
Daddy to the rescue in his wife beater
Wow, she did all of that in white pants and yet has no dirt on said white pants. Good job?