Gold Coast couple left ‘shaken’ after terrifying broad daylight crime

A young Gold Coast couple have been left “shaken” after a terrifying ordeal involving their baby girl. All the details

Grevillea Drive in Varsity Lakes. Picture: Google Maps.

A young Gold Coast couple have been left “shaken” after a baby girl was taken during a frightening car theft in broad daylight.

Investigations continue after officers were called to Grevillea Drive, Varsity Lakes at about 11.50am on Saturday after a man took off in a silver 2020 Subaru Forester with a one-year-old girl inside.

In a shocking turn of events police said the baby was returned “safe and well” within a few minutes to neighbours.

The car stolen was a 2020 Subaru Forester with QLD registration 411 EL3.

It is understood the child was brought back by two young people in another car.

A woman who lives on the same street said the young couple were shaken by the incident.

“It’s a terrible thing that has happened,” she said.

“I’ve sent them messages and they’ve messaged me back. They’re pretty quiet people and they’re pretty shocked that this has happened to them.”

The neighbouring mother said in the 25 years she’s lived in Varsity Lakes she had “never seen anything like this before”.

“This is very rare,” she added.

“It was probably someone not from this area, someone passing by – very brazen to do it at lunch time. It’s just craziness.”

The neighbour said her son was at home at the time when the terrifying ordeal unfolded.

The car allegedly used to return the baby to the family. Picture: 9 News Queensland

“(My son) was on his computer in the bedroom and said he heard yelling and screaming and someone saying ‘the car drove off’,” she said.

The father of the girl took to social media after the incident.

“My one-year-old baby girl was in the car,” the man wrote.

“Police are aware. The baby was returned in a small white Toyota, boot open, with bikes hanging out the boot, by two young girls.”

Other neighbours in the area have also raised concerns about youth crime in the wake of the ordeal.

“It’s just terrible. It’s absolutely concerning,” resident Ray Evans, 75 said.

“And (youth crime) is happening all over the country. It’s out of control.”

Another family with young children said crime in the area was a big concern.

“It’s definitely big here, a lot of local drugs, police are here all the time and (people) stealing stuff,” she said.

Police are appealing for anyone who sees the silver 2020 Subaru Forester with QLD registration 411 EL3 to immediately call them. Police are also looking to speak to the occupants of the second vehicle.

EARLIER: HORROR AS CAR STOLEN WITH BABY GIRL INSIDE

Police are investigating after a car with a one-year-old baby girl inside was stolen at Varsity Lakes on Saturday.

Officers were called to Grevillea Drive at about 11.50am after a man took off in the vehicle.

Police said the baby was returned “safe and well” within a few minutes to neighbours.

It is understood that the child was returned by two young people in another car.

“My one year old baby girl was in the car,” the child’s father wrote on social media.

“Police are aware. The baby was returned in a small white Toyota, boot open, with bikes hanging out the boot, by two young girls.”

Police appealed for anyone who sees the silver 2020 Subaru Forester with QLD registration 411 EL3 to immediately call them.

Police are also looking to speak to the occupants of the second vehicle.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Members of the public can also report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers by call 1800 333 000 or reporting online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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