Brazen Car Theft with Baby Abandoned in Cardboard Box
A major police manhunt is underway in Victoria's north following a shocking incident where a thief stole a car with a sleeping baby inside. The brazen theft occurred in the car park of a supermarket on Maude Street in Shepparton last Friday, shortly before 2pm.
CCTV Captures Chilling Sequence of Events
The man entered a red Volkswagen and began to reverse out of the parking space. It was at this moment he discovered a 15-month-old child sleeping in the back seat. Disturbing CCTV footage then shows the suspect taking the infant from the vehicle. He is seen running across the car park to place the toddler inside a cardboard box before abandoning the child there.
The individual then ran back to the stolen Volkswagen and sped away from the scene. The car's owner returned from the supermarket and was horrified to find their child missing from the vehicle. The parent quickly located the abandoned toddler and immediately raised the alarm with the authorities.
Stolen Vehicle Located and Public Appeal Launched
The stolen car was recovered the following day, found abandoned approximately 5km away in Mooroopna. Victoria Police have released CCTV images and a detailed description of a man they believe can assist with their investigation.
The suspect is described as being approximately 165cm tall with a slim build and is believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s. At the time of the incident, he was wearing a blue Golden State basketball singlet, a black cap worn backwards, and navy headphones. His attire also included black shorts, light blue joggers, and black sweatbands on both wrists.
Police are urging anyone with information about this alarming event to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers immediately to aid in their search for the suspect.
