Car with sleeping child inside stolen in Craigieburn

A four-year-old boy has been reunited with his family after the car in which he was sleeping was stolen in Craigieburn. The opportunistic thief pounced on the car as it was left running.

Rhonin was reunited with his family after was in a car that was stolen by a man in Craigieburn. He was reunited with his family not long after. Picture: Twitter/ @SamCucchiara9

A four-year-old boy has been reunited with his frantic family after the car in which he was sleeping was stolen in Craigieburn last night.

Hume CIU detective Senior Constable Tim Gibson said the silver Mitsubishi Outlander station wagon was parked outside a business on Hamilton St about 10pm when it was stolen.

Sen-Constable Gibson said the boy, named Rhonin, was in the car “for a matter of minutes” as his dad ran an errand.

CRAIGIEBURN HERO FIREFIGHTER SAVES CYCLIST WITH BROKEN NECK

BROADMEADOWS TOWN HALL NAME CHANGE SLAMMED

“He left him asleep in the car for a brief time and in that time the offender stole the car,” he said.

The man drove for about three minutes with Rhonin asleep in the rear booster seat, he said.

After a search that included the police helicopter and dogs, the car was found about 10 minutes later abandoned in Cimberwood Drive, about 2km from where it was stolen.

4-year-old Rhonin was found crying inside a car at Craigieburn overnight after a thief stole his parent’s SUV while he was asleep inside. His dad was metres away while the engine was still running. The bandit dumped the vehicle around the corner. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/D2ZDXHOJ8q

— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) February 12, 2019

The thief allegedly jumped into a light-coloured hatchback driven by another person.

The duo was last seen driving south on Cimberwood Drive about 10.20pm.

Rhonin was safely reunited with his family.

Anyone with information or dashcam footage is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

MORE NEWS

TULLAMARINE SURF PARK FIRST WAVES EXPECTED IN APRIL

CRAIGIEBURN BOY HIT BY BUS WARNS CHILDREN TO BE CAREFUL ON ROADS