A 3-month-old baby is safe after the Essex County sheriff says thieves stole a vehicle, with the baby left in the backseat in Irvington.

According to Essex County Armando Fontoura, a gold Mercedes Benz SUV was stolen Tuesday around 8 p.m. from the 110 block of Clinton Avenue – with the baby still inside. Police alerted several municipalities in Essex County and Child Abduction Response Patrol Units to search for the SUV

Fontoura says the vehicle, with a Texas license plate, and the baby were found about three hours later abandoned in Newark’s South Ward. The baby was awake, alert and not hurt. The baby was taken by EMS to University Hospital for a precautionary evaluation. 

Fontoura says the suspect fled the scene and has not been caught.  

There is no word on why the baby was in the car, or whose baby it is.

Many agencies were on the scene, including Homeland Security, Irvington Police Department, Newark Police Department, the Essex County Prosecutor's Office and Essex County Sheriff's officers.

No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Essex County Prosecutor's Office tips line at 1-877-TIPS-4EC or 1-877-847-7432.