Police have arrested a 32-year-old man in connection with a car theft in Shepparton, Victoria, where a 15-month-old boy was allegedly removed from the vehicle and left in a cardboard box. The incident occurred last week at the Farm Fresh Supermarket carpark in Shepparton.
The alleged thief stole a red Volkswagen that had been left running with the air conditioner on and doors unlocked, with the baby asleep in the back. Upon discovering the child, the man reportedly took the boy out and placed him in a discarded box before fleeing with the vehicle.
CCTV footage captured the suspect running across the carpark holding the sleeping child. The boy's mother returned to find the car missing but located her son unharmed. She immediately contacted police, who found the car a week later in Mooroopna.
Detective Acting Sergeant Andrew Costello described the alleged thief's actions as “thoughtless and inhumane,” noting the incident could have ended “horrifically.” He also commented that the mother had only been in the shop for “a matter of moments” and will likely never forgive herself for the error in judgment.
The suspect was taken into custody on Friday. Police thanked the public for their cooperation in providing information that led to the arrest.
