Man who allegedly stole car with sleeping toddler inside before leaving him in a box charged

Detectives have charged a man who allegedly stole a car with a sleeping toddler inside in Victoria's north last week.

It is alleged that the man stole the vehicle from a supermarket car park on Maude Street in Shepparton just before 2pm on November 14.

When the man realised a 15-month-old boy was in the car, he removed the child and left him in a box in the car park, police said.

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The female car owner returned and found the unharmed toddler.

The man allegedly fled in the Volkswagen, which was found in Mooroopna the next day.

A 32-year-old was arrested in central Shepparton yesterday afternoon.

The Mooroopna man was later charged with motor vehicle theft, reckless conduct, endangering serious injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Detectives also charged the man with multiple other offences in an unrelated incident in the Shepparton and Barmah areas on November 17.

Charges include motor vehicle theft, dangerous driving while pursued by police and aggravated reckless exposure of a police officer to risk by driving.

The 32-year-old has been remanded to appear at court on Monday.

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