A massive search is under way to recover a 2-month-old baby taken by car thieves in Northeast China.

More than 3,500 officers have been mobilized, said authorities in Changchun, capital of Jilin province.

The silver gray Toyota RAV4 was stolen at about 7:20 am near a road crossing. The child had been wrapped in a pink blanket inside.

Police have appealed to the public for help.

Traffic authorities are monitoring major highways and checkpoints, while thousands of taxi drivers or private car owners in Changchun and surrounding cities have joined the search.

The child's father, surnamed Xu, told Jilin Radio Station he had parked the vehicle beside his grocery store, leaving the baby inside and the doors unlocked. The car was driven away shortly after he entered the store.