DENVER -- There were some frightening moments for a Denver family Friday afternoon when they left their car running with their little girl inside and the vehicle was stolen from in front of their house.

The theft occurred at about 2:15 p.m. in the 2400 block of Hooker Street.

Fortunately, the car thief noticed the extra passenger and six minutes later, dropped the 1-year-old girl off in front of a home about a half-mile away, at the 2800 block of Hazel Court.

The girl was found safe and reunited with her family.

Denver police later found the stolen car -- an early 1999 white Ford Explorer complete child safety seat and baby bottles -- near 28th and Decatur.

Investigators say the thief likely did not know what was inside the sport utility vehicle when he stole it.

Police say cars that are left out in the open with the engine running are easy targets, but it's a common practice, especially during winter months when drivers like to warm up their cars in front of their homes.

"You go out, you start your car off. People are doing this all the time, not thinking that they're going to leave their kid in their car... They run in to get something and then all of a sudden, boom. Gone in just a second, your car is gone, your child is gone and you're horrified," said Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson.

Police say they are going to order the parents to go into the police station to talk about child neglect and child abuse issues before they decide if charges are warranted in this case.

The car thief remains at large but police do not have a good description of the man.