Thief Dumps Baby in Box, Steals Car

A manhunt is underway in Victoria's north after a brazen thief stole a car with a sleeping 15-month-old baby inside. The incident unfolded last Friday in a Shepparton supermarket carpark when the man entered a red Volkswagen and began reversing out. Realizing a child was in the back seat, the thief removed the baby and placed it in a cardboard box in the carpark before fleeing in the stolen vehicle.

The car's owner returned from shopping to find the abandoned toddler and immediately raised the alarm. Fortunately, the child was unharmed. The stolen Volkswagen was discovered the next day, approximately 5 kilometers away in Mooroopna. Police have released CCTV footage and images of a man they believe can assist with their investigation.

The suspect is described as being 165cm tall, with a slim build, and is believed to be in his 20s or 30s. He was last seen wearing a blue Golden State basketball singlet, a black cap worn backward, navy headphones, black shorts, light blue joggers, and black sweatbands on both wrists. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.