Police are searching for a woman who allegedly picked up a four-year-old girl in a Sydney shopping centre and carried her away from her mother about 6.25pm on Sunday. The little girl had been outside a store in Westfield Eastgardens on Bunnerong Rd, when she was allegedly picked up by the stranger.

The unknown woman allegedly carried the girl into another shop, where “the woman was intercepted by the child’s mother,” NSW Police said. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today “The woman then walked away from the child and her mother, who called police.” Investigations into the incident are ongoing, as police search for a woman they believe can help with their inquiries.

She is described by police as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance with short black hair. “She was seen wearing a red headband, a black jacket, black pants and a multicoloured shoulder bag,” police said. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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