Garbutt, Townsville: Car stolen with baby inside in brazen daylight theft

Police are investigating after a car was stolen from a driveway in north Queensland while a baby was inside the vehicle.

The incident unfolded in Garbutt in Townsville on Monday afternoon, when unknown offenders drove off in a black Isuzu D-Max before abandoning the child a short distance away.

Queensland Police said the vehicle had been parked on a driveway on Sunderland Street about 1.44pm, with a woman nearby and a baby secured in a car seat inside.

“Unknown offenders have got into the vehicle and drove away, before the car stopped further along Sunderland Street,” a police spokesperson said.

“The offenders have placed the baby in the car seat on the footpath, before fleeing again.”

Police confirmed no one was physically injured during the incident, with paramedics assessing the baby as a precaution.

“Police arrived a short time later and conducted patrols however failed to locate the vehicle,” police said.

Investigators are now appealing for public assistance as they continue inquiries into the incident.

“Investigators are appealing for anyone who has seen or has vision of the black Isuzu D-Max with Queensland registration 840A4B to contact police,” the spokesperson said.

Investigations remain ongoing.