Toronto

Baby boy found safe after minivan stolen with him inside: Toronto police

A two-month-old baby boy who was in a stolen minivan in Toronto's north end Sunday night was found safe and sound, police say.

A citizen found the 2005 Toyota Sienna with the boy inside, police say

The abandoned minivan, right, was found about a 10-minute drive from where it was taken. (John Hanley/CBC)

A two-month-old baby boy who was in a stolen minivan in Toronto's north end Sunday night was found safe and sound, police say.

The vehicle, a brown 2005 Toyota Sienna, has also been located.

Police said the minivan was stolen from Italian Gardens Plaza, in the area of Islington and Steeles avenues. 

As part of the investigation, officers searched the area, but police said, it was a citizen who found the minivan empty with only the baby inside. 

No arrests have been made. The baby will be assessed by Emergency Medical Services and returned to family. 

Toronto police say a minivan was stolen with a two-month-old baby inside in the city's north end Sunday night. (Adrian Cheung/CBC)

A formal Amber Alert, which police can issue in cases of suspected child abductions, was not issued, but Const. David Hopkinson said on Twitter that it was considered. 

"We are hoping that the thief did not realize there was a baby in the car," he said before the boy was located.  

"We hope they will abandon the car and people in the area, armed with the licence and description, will call us if found."

Police say they are currently considering the alleged vehicle theft as a "crime of opportunity," adding that officers have made contact with the parents of the baby.

Police said an investigation has begun, and that there are now two crime scenes, one where the minivan was stolen and one where it was located. 

Heavy police presence is seen inside a laundromat near where the minivan was allegedly stolen. (Adrian Cheung/CBC)

With files from Adrian Cheung