Police were told a 36-year-old woman, holding a four-week-old baby, was sitting in a parked vehicle on Egans Lane, about 12.30pm today (Wednesday 12 December 2018), when a man stole personal items from the vehicle and ran from the scene.

The woman called for assistance from members of the public, who chased after the man.

Officers from South Coast Police District were patrolling nearby when they heard yelling and came to assist.

Following a short foot pursuit, the officers arrested the 34-year-old man on a nearby street.

He was taken to Nowra Police Station where he was charged with steal from person, and stealing.

The man was refused bail and will appear at Nowra Local Court tomorrow, Thursday, December 14. 

The woman and child were not physically injured during the incident.