Baby found hours after being taken when his mother's car was stolen

A baby boy has been found safe and well in Melbourne's south east hours after his mother's car was stolen with him inside.

Police located the car and the 11-month-old boy in Cranbourne about 5.40pm following a desperate search.

A member of the public called police to report sighting the white Toyota after police made an appeal for information.

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Police rushed to the car, finding the child "safe and well" inside.

A 46-year-old Frankston man was arrested.

The child had been missing for three and a half hours after the car was allegedly stolen from Putt Grove in Keysborough about 2.10pm.

The mother said she had just gotten out of the car outside their home when an unknown man got into the driver's seat and drove away.