Police have arrested a 42-year-old man after he allegedly stole a car with a child inside in Officer this morning.
A man left his 5-year-old son inside his running car while he went inside a Princes Highway service station about 8.45am.
It's alleged an opportunistic thief has jumped behind the wheel and driven off.
The quick-thinking dad has called his own phone he left inside his vehicle which was answered by the alleged car thief.
He alerted the male driver to the fact that his son was in the car and urged him to drop his son at a police station.
The alleged offender has driven the boy to Pakenham Police Station where he was promptly arrested and the boy safely reunited with his father.
Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit detectives spoke with the Officer man who has been released pending further enquiries.
Any witnesses, anyone with CCTV, dash cam vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au