In a disturbing incident in Victoria’s north, detectives have charged a man accused of stealing a car that had a toddler asleep inside. The unsettling event unfolded last week in Shepparton, bringing a wave of shock and relief in equal measure.

According to allegations, the suspect took the vehicle from a supermarket car park on Maude Street just before 2 p.m. on November 14. The situation took an alarming turn when the man discovered a 15-month-old boy was inside the car.

Realizing the presence of the child, the suspect reportedly removed the toddler and left him in a box in the car park. Fortunately, the young boy was found unharmed when the vehicle’s owner, a woman, returned to the scene.

After abandoning the child, the man is said to have fled the scene in the Volkswagen, which was later recovered in the nearby town of Mooroopna the following day. The incident highlights both the potential dangers of such crimes and the swift action of law enforcement in addressing them.

The man allegedly fled in the Volkswagen, which was found in Mooroopna the next day.

A 32-year-old was arrested in central Shepparton yesterday afternoon.

The Mooroopna man was later charged with motor vehicle theft, reckless conduct, endangering serious injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Detectives also charged the man with multiple other offences in an unrelated incident in the Shepparton and Barmah areas on November 17.

Charges include motor vehicle theft, dangerous driving while pursued by police and aggravated reckless exposure of a police officer to risk by driving.

The 32-year-old has been remanded to appear at court on Monday.