Gold Coast crime: Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton defends parents of baby boy taken with stolen car

Video has been released of the moment police discovered a stolen car with a baby in the back on the Gold Coast as a top cop hit back at online trolls who criticised the child’s horrified parents. SEE THE VIDEO >>>

A POLICE inspector has slapped down online trolls criticising a Gold Coast mum and dad who endured “every parent’s worst nightmare” when a thief stole a car with their baby inside.

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said the theft of the white Mazda 3 sedan from the open garage of a Stringybark Dr, Molendinar home on Thursday afternoon with baby “Jordan” inside would have been “terrifying”.

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton. Picture: Scott Powick

The Vulnerable Persons Unit officer said the crime was one “of opportunity” when asked by a reporter why the child was left in the car and how the thieves accessed it.

Keyboard warriors have taken to social media to criticise the parents, despite no indication from authorities they did anything wrong.

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“From my understanding the car was parked in the garage of the house with the garage door open. The parents have put the five-month-old in the car seat, restrained the child and then gone to get the other child,” Det Insp Dalton said.

“Anyone who’s a parent knows that’s a reasonable thing to do.

“In that short process of time the car has been stolen containing the little baby.

“You’re not an octopus, you’ve only got one set of hands.”

The Mazda 3 stolen from Molendinar with a baby in the back seat. Picture: QPS

Baby Jordan’s mother, known only as Katherine at this stage, spoke of the family's distress.

Det Insp Dalton said at least two more offenders were involved in the theft of the Mazda and had been travelling inside a white Toyota Corolla “getaway car”, which was possibly stolen.

“One was the car that was taken from the address where the car was stolen from containing the baby. The second one we believe comes from around the southside of Brisbane,” he said.

“We believe the car has been used in other offences (between Brisbane and the Coast).

“The white Mazda was dumped in Keller Rd at Carrara and the Toyota hatch was dumped in Lexington Dr at Worongary.”

Det Insp Dalton said the Mazda “nearly struck the father of the child as it was leaving the address”.

He was unsure whether the father – who was trying to block the thief from driving off – had screamed that his child was inside the car.

“If the people who stole that car knew there was a baby in there it’s a terrible thing,” he said.

“Being a father myself I could only think of how horrified I would be to see my baby getting taken away by somebody that I didn’t know under those circumstances.

“I think we located the car within an hour. That hour must have been terrifying for those parents.”

Another image of the Mazda 3. Picture: QPS

Det Insp Dalton said within 15 minutes of the incident officers inside a dozen police cars and a POLAIR helicopter dropped everything to find the infant.

The baby was found while an officer was patrolling.

“I actually think the Road Policing Unit officer who located the child was actually rostered to do another duty, I think it was speed camera,” Det Insp Dalton said.

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“He decided not to do that, got in his car and located the child safe and well.

“That’s the best outcome in this story. We will go as far as we can to arrest somebody, but the fact there is a five-month-old boy bouncing around mum and dad’s lap safe and well at the moment is a great outcome for us.”

He said the child was physically unharmed, the Mazda not damaged and it’s “lucky no one has got hurt out of this at all”.

Det Insp Dalton said those involved could face charges including break-and-enter, unlawful use of a motor vehicle or dangerous driving. They may also face child stealing or deprivation of liberty charges.

He urged anyone who spotted the white cars on Stringybark Dr, Keller Crescent at Carrara or Lexington Dr at Worongary – or who may have CCTV or dashcam footage – to contact police.

Police have seized the cars, were taking a statement from Jordan’s father and were conducting forensic examinations.

It was initially reported the Mazda thief was a juvenile, but Det Insp Dalton said that had not yet been confirmed.

Police hunt for thief after car stolen with baby inside

Earlier: Gold Coast police are still on the hunt for a young thief who stole a car from Molendinar with a five-month old baby boy in the back seat, who has been found.

It was confirmed on Friday morning no one had been arrested following the incident about 4.25pm on Thursday.

A photo of the Mazda which was stolen from Molendinar with a baby in the back. Picture: QPS

Investigations were ongoing, a police spokeswoman said.

The update comes after baby Jordan’s mother spoke about the terrifying experience once her son was back in her care.

The woman, known only as Katherine, said she “was dying” as she watched her baby disappear down the street while her anguished partner screamed for someone to call the police.

FOUND: Car stolen on Gold Coast with baby in back seat

September 2: Police have found a five-month old baby boy who was in the back seat of a car stolen from a Gold Coast garage after an urgent search this afternoon.

Police said the infant was strapped into the rear child-seat of a car, parked in the garage of an address on Stringybark Dr, Molendinar when the vehicle was stolen about 4.25pm.

Officers reported that the baby was found “safe and well” in Carrara about an hour later.

The missing vehicle, a white Mazda 3, was also located.

Another photo of the Mazda which was stolen from Molendinar with a baby in the back. Picture: QPS

Police are tonight still hunting for two teenage girls they believe took the vehicle.