A man who stole a car with a young baby inside from a petrol station in Whangārei should turn himself in police say.

On Wednesday, about 11.35am, the man, who had been sitting across the road from the BP Wylies on Maunu Road, Whangārei hopped into a car and drove off while the owner paid for petrol inside.

A 5-month-old baby was inside the car at the time, Acting Detective Sergeant Ryan Cooper said.

“Police later located the vehicle, a silver Isuzu, abandoned on Western Hills Drive near the ASB Stadium