A Ronkonkoma man was arrested Tuesday after police say he tried to steal a car with two young children inside outside a Suffolk Avenue smoke shop.

Authorities say a father left his vehicle running while he briefly went inside the store Tuesday afternoon. That’s when, police allege, Mustafa Attia got into the car and attempted to drive away with a 6-year-old and a 5-year-old still inside.

According to police, the father and a smoke shop employee saw what was happening and rushed outside to stop Attia before he could leave.

When the father and the employee tried to pull Attia out of the car, police say he refused to get out. News 12 is told that multiple people called 911. Responding officers were able to remove Attia from the car and place him under arrest.

Police charged Attia with attempted grand larceny, endangering the welfare of a child and possession of a controlled substance.

Authorities say Attia was taken to a hospital for evaluation and is expected to face a judge at a later date.

The two children were not injured in the incident.