Grandmother: Man tried to steal car with grandson still inside

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A local grandmother says she is thankful her grandson made the right decision when a man tried to steal her car with the boy inside.
 
Debra Normant said she was with her grandson, Keelan Threats, 10, buying art supplies for a school project. 
 
Normant said she pulled in to Murphy's USA gas station on Lawrenceville Highway and left the car and Keelan to get change so she could put air in her tires.
 
"Between the time I walked away from the car and the gentleman walked to the car was 45 seconds, that is how quickly your children and your property can be taken away from you," Normant told Channel 2's Rachel Stockman.
 
"The door was unlocked and this man came up to me and said, "Do you want to take a ride?" Keelan Threats told Channel 2's Rachel Stockman. "I said, 'No, where is grandma?' I got out of the car, and I saw him drive off with the car."
 
Because of his quick thinking, Normant said Keelan is OK but the suspect made off with her brand new 2014 red Kia Optima along with her purse and wallet. 
 
Just a week earlier, Keelan said his mom told him about precautions to take around strangers.
 
"I would have to say it is my mom. I would have to say she prepared me for it," Threats said.
 
Normant admits she made a mistake and has this advice for others: "Never, ever leave your children in a car unattended,"  Normant said. "You never know who is lurking around a corner. "
 
Lawrenceville police are investigating but Normant said so far they have not recovered her vehicle.

WSBTV