Mildura Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a woman after she allegedly stole a car with a child inside in Mildura on Saturday night (1 June).
Officers were called to a Deakin Avenue bottle shop after a car containing a 2-year-old was allegedly taken from the drive through just after 6.30pm.
The car was located about 20 minutes later on Cureton Avenue after it struck a tree with the child inside.
The driver, a 33-year-old woman, then allegedly entered a residence in Cureton Avenue where she assaulted a 56-year-old occupant with a fry pan causing him minor facial injuries.
Officers arrested the Mildura woman at the house shortly later.
The uninjured child was checked over by paramedics before being reunited with her family.
The Mildura woman was taken to hospital where she remained overnight before being discharged yesterday morning.
The woman has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, false imprisonment, child stealing, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, trespass, assault with a weapon and traffic-related offences.
She was remanded and will appear at Mildura Magistrates’ Court today.