I think it was a NY Post article. Source was the police union.

The 'keys' you keep hearing mentioned in articles that he stole were the victim's car keys. The police knew it wasn't his car.

The report said the kids were in the house when he attacked her. Plus him having a restraining order on him from the victim would imply he took the kids and put them in the car he was intending to steal. They didn't come with him.