A young man broke into a car in Stamford Wednesday night and stole cash, police say, but the victim's niece snagged his bag, and police investigators say they've identified him. 

They also have surveillance video of the incident.

"We went and confronted the individual this morning, 18-year-old male, and spoke to him to give him a chance to confess or be honest about the situation," says Sgt. Sean Boeger, of the Stamford Police Department. "He's denying it right now, but we have pretty overwhelming evidence."

It happened outside a home on Bridge Street, where the owner says the car was left unlocked.

The victim's niece spotted the thief after he triggered outdoor motion-sensor lighting. When she confronted him, the victim says he fled. But the niece snatched his bag.

The homeowner says her car has been broken into before. In all incidents, she says her car was unlocked. 

Police say residents should make sure their doors are locked.