Shepparton police release images in search for car thief who left baby in car park
Police say a car theft could have ended “horrifically” after a sleeping baby was removed from the vehicle, placed in a box and dumped in a Shepparton carpark before the vehicle was stolen.
Shocking CCTV footage has shown the moment a car thief discarded a baby in a box before stealing the car the child had been sleeping in from a Shepparton carpark.
Victoria Police released the footage on Thursday morning in an attempt to track down the man.
Police said the baby had been sleeping inside the car, which had been parked in a carpark adjacent to Farm Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in Maude St, when the mother quickly ran into the store just before 2pm last Friday.
They believe the man saw the opportunity to steal the red Volkswagen.
While reversing out of the carpark, the offender realised a baby was in the back seat of the car.
The footage shows the man jumping out of the car, removing the baby and placing it in a box and dumping it in the carpark before driving away.
Shepparton detective Acting Sergeant Andrew Costello said he was “horrified” by the incident.
He said the mother was “extremely scared” the baby was still in the car until she saw him dumped in the box.
“I am a father of three and a member of the Shepparton community and when I first found about this job I was extremely anxious about the safety and welfare of the mother and the family,” he said.
“Fortunately, everyone is safe and well but I can only imagine the grief she was feeling at the time when she thought she had lost her child.”
Sergeant Costello said the mother was only in the store for a short time but did not recommend people leave children in cars.
He said the keys were in the car, doors were unlocked and airconditioner was on when it was stolen.
“It’s bad enough that he thought it was his opportune time to steal the car,” he said.
“He’s then identified a human being in the back seat of the car and had so little regard for that human being.
“It was so important to steal the car that he put the human being in the box and left them unattended – it could have ended horrifically.”
Sergeant Costello said it was “thoughtless and inhumane” behaviour.
“My message to this male is you’ve done a horrendous act put your hand up, bring yourself into the police station and we’ll deal with it,” he said.
“Members of the public will know who he is and hopefully they are equally shaken by the footage as I am and they’ll come forward and assist us.”
The vehicle was found the following day in Mooroopna.
Police have released CCTV and images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries.
The offender is described as being aged in his 20s to 30s, 165cm with a slim build.
He was wearing a black cap backwards, navy headphones, a blue Golden State basketball singlet, black shorts, light blue runners and black sweatbands on both wrists.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
