A man is in jail after he was suspected of trying to steal a car with two children inside at a Southwest Bakersfield gas station.

It happened Tuesday at the Fastrip gas station on S. Real Road and Ming Avenue.

An official with the Bakersfield Police Department told 23ABC that the children's mother left them in the car along with the keys in the ignition.

BPD officials said that’s when Thomas Pierson was suspected of hopping into the car and trying to drive away.

According to the BPD, bystanders were able to stop the suspect, and he was taken into custody.

Pierson is currently in the Kern County Jail and he's due in court on Friday.

Meanwhile, the children's mother was cited for leaving the children in the car unattended.