Detectives have apprehended a man accused of stealing a car with a toddler asleep inside in the northern region of Victoria last week.

The incident reportedly occurred when the man took the vehicle from a supermarket parking lot on Maude Street in Shepparton just before 2 p.m. on November 14.

Upon discovering a 15-month-old boy inside, the suspect allegedly removed the child and placed him in a box in the parking area, according to police reports.

The child’s mother returned to find her son unharmed.

The suspect is said to have escaped in the Volkswagen, which authorities located in Mooroopna the following day.

A 32-year-old man was subsequently arrested in the central area of 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.