Massoud Massoud told 9News his “soul left [his] body” when he witnessed an “opportunistic” man allegedly jump into his black Kia Carnival and speed off, just before 3.30pm in Dandenong.
Moments earlier, he had been speaking with another driver after he was involved in a road rage incident on Cleeland Street.
“I pulled over to talk to the guy and we got out of [our cars] for 20 seconds. I looked back at my car and it was gone,” Massoud said.
“He accelerated really hard and I couldn’t believe it. It was gone.”
Together with the other driver, the father tried to follow the car but was unsuccessful.
An hour later, police received the call notifying them the toddler was safe.
The two-year-old Mohammad was found walking around at Ferntree Gully Woolworths by a member of the public, 16km from where the car was stolen.
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“I was totally at a loss, I got a new life,” the father said.
“Before that, I thought I didn’t have anything in my body, as soon as I saw the photo, I was so relieved.”
“I asked him, [were] you scared? He said, no. Did you cry? [He said] no, I didn’t cry.”
The Kia was found dumped near Lilidale. Police will forensically examine the car before it can be returned.
Police arrested a 24-year-old man around 2pm today in Dandenong.
The Dandenong man has been charged with child stealing, theft of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and indictable offence whilst on bail.
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