Juveniles arrested in Townsville over car stolen with baby inside

Police have arrested six young people after a ute with a baby inside was stolen from a north Queensland driveway.

Officers allege the ute was stolen from Sunderland Street in the Townsville suburb of Garbutt on Monday afternoon.

The baby was in a car seat inside the vehicle and its mother was nearby.

The alleged thieves returned moments later and placed the baby, still in the car seat, on the side of the road, before driving away again.

The baby was not hurt.

A police helicopter has assisted with the search for the alleged offenders overnight.

The vehicle has been located, and six young people arrested in relation to the incident.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses, or anyone with dash cam footage, that could assist their investigation to come forward.