A baby boy has been returned to his parents after the car he was sitting in was allegedly stolen by a shirtless man in Melbourne's south-east on Tuesday.
His mother had exited their Toyota while it was idling on Putt Grove in Keysborough about 2:10pm before a man jumped in and drove off with the 11-month boy inside.
The car was seen travelling east on Cheltenham Road near Corrigan Road when police issued a plea for public assistance.
An extensive search was conducted before the child was located safe and well, three-and-a half hours later after a tip-off from the public.
The car was found in Cranbourne and a 46-year-old Frankston man was arrested around 5:40pm.
Inspector Fiona Halford said authorities had "the utmost concern for the baby's welfare" after an "opportunistic" theft of the vehicle.
An extensive search worked across multiple divisions, with the use of a consolidated grid search and a police helicopter.
“I just cannot thank the public enough," Inspector Halford said.
"It was a member of the general public that notified police and subsequently police have attended that location and found the child safe and well."
