Two men charged over theft of car with toddler inside at Chelsea

Two men have been charged after a car was allegedly stolen with a sleeping toddler in the back seat.

Two men have been charged after a car was allegedly stolen in Melbourne’s southeast while a sleeping toddler was in the back seat.

Police arrested an 18-year-old Narre Warren man and a 20-year-old Clarinda man in a Frankston shopping centre about 12pm on Tuesday.

The Narre Warren man was charged with more than 25 offences, including theft of a motor vehicle, obtain property by deception, possess a drug of dependence and bail and driving offences.

The Clarinda man was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, aggravated burglary, resist police and bail and driving offences in relation to another matter.

Both men have been remanded to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

Two men were arrested on Tuesday over the allegeded incident in Chelsea. Picture: Victoria Police

It comes as the toddler’s father spoke of the distressing ordeal.

Jake said he was “traumatised” when his Volkswagen Tiguan was allegedly stolen with his son sleeping inside the car at Chelsea about 4pm on Sunday.

He left the engine running and airconditioner on with his two-year-old son in the back seat while he went to buy ice-cream from a shop, about 40m away.

It’s alleged a man jumped in the car and drove off with the young boy inside.

The boy was allegedly dumped uninjured on Bath St, 350m from where he was taken, with the accused fleeing the scene in the car.

The car was found abandoned in Hyde Park Ave in Craigieburn about 5am on Wednesday.

CCTV footage shows the toddler, wearing just a nappy and no shoes, being comforted by his rescuer and police officers on the footpath.

CCTV footage shows the distressed father after he realises his car was allegedly stolen with his toddler in the back seat. Picture: Nine News

Jake said the ordeal was “horrifying” and pleaded with other parents to never leave their children alone.

“Even if your car’s in plain view, please don’t make the same mistake I did,” he told Nine News.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Grant Lewis said the boy was found in a distraught state.

“The child was crying, he was just in a nappy,” he said.

“He was very distraught.”

Sgt Lewis said the alleged incident was brazen, risky and traumatising for the child’s dad.

“I don’t want to victim shame or blame,” he said.

“He is very traumatised, he certainly wouldn’t do what he did again.

“You’d hate to think of what could have happened. (It is) terrifying for the child and for the family and we’re treating it very seriously.”

Anyone with further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.