Police charge Guelph man accused of stealing SUV with sleeping child in back

A Guelph man has been charged after he allegedly stole an SUV while a young child was asleep in the back.

The four-year-old was safely located Monday afternoon after the SUV was stolen from a west-end plaza in Guelph.

Just after 4:20 p.m., the child’s mother called police to report that her SUV had been taken from the area of Willow and Westwood roads with her child still inside.

Police were told a man had left a business with stolen merchandise. When an employee tried to stop him, the man exposed himself before getting into the SUV and driving away.

Officers from across the city rushed to the area to assist.

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The SUV was found parked on a nearby street approximately 16 minutes after it was reported stolen. The child was still asleep inside and was not physically injured.

A suspect was located nearby and arrested.

The 29-year-old man was charged with motor vehicle theft, theft under $5,000 and committing an indecent act. He was held for a bail hearing Tuesday.

Guelph police remind parents and caregivers never to leave children or pets unattended in vehicles, even for a short time and particularly on hot days.