A 15-year-old girl was in custody Monday, accused of stealing a car with three young children inside in Chollas View, police said.
The car was stolen from the area of 47th and Market streets just before 6 p.m. Sunday, according to San Diego police Officer Dino Delimitros.
At the time, the children's father had left his children in the car briefly to run into a business to do a quick chore, Delimitros said, adding that the children were 1, 3 and 7.
"When he returned, his car was gone as well as the kids who were inside," he said.
Shortly after the father reported the theft to police, a California Highway Patrol officer spotted the vehicle on Highway 94 and College Avenue and a pursuit ensued, spilling onto surface streets.
The pursuit ended when the teen driver crashed at College Avenue and Accord Street, Delimitros said, adding that she struggled briefly with police while being taken into custody on suspicion of auto theft, felony evading and kidnapping.
"All three children were unharmed and returned to their parents," he said.
