Horror as man allegedly steals a car with child asleep in the back near Newcastle in NSW

A child in New South Wales who was in the backseat of a vehicle that was allegedly carjacked has been reunited with his family safely and without any damage.

At around 2.30pm on Sunday, a man reportedly took control of a parked vehicle on Groves Rd, near Newcastle.

In the car, a one-year-old child was sleeping in the back seat. The alleged carjacker continued toward the Pacific Highway, but stopped at a nearby parking lot, abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.

A quick investigation by police led to the arrest of a 27-year-old man at a home on Cherry Street in Windale around 3pm on Monday.

The suspect has been charged with criminal offenses including unlawfully taking or driving a motor vehicle with a person inside, taking and driving a vehicle without the owner’s consent, and driving as a learner without proper supervision.

The man was refused bail and will appear in Belmont Local Court on Tuesday.