NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A 43-year-old man was arrested Wednesday after police said he stole a woman’s vehicle while her 1-year-old child was still inside.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the woman was making a food delivery on 21st Avenue South near Scarritt Place when the suspect allegedly drove away in her vehicle. The child was seated in the backseat at the time.

Officers located the vehicle a short distance away and found the infant unharmed. The suspect had reportedly left the area before police arrived.

Investigators later found 43-year-old Joshua Melton on Lyle Avenue. Police said he was wearing the same clothing seen in surveillance footage connected to the vehicle theft.

Melton allegedly told officers he did not realize a child was inside the car when he took it. He was arrested and charged with vehicle theft and child neglect.

Police booked Melton into jail on a $36,000 bond.

The arrest followed an earlier public alert in which Metro Police asked for help identifying the person accused of stealing the vehicle with the child inside. Authorities confirmed the child was safely recovered and did not appear to have suffered any injuries.

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