A 54-year-old man was left stranded in a Melbourne toilet for an hour after his wheelchair was allegedly stolen by a young man wearing a Santa hat.

The victim had a conversation with the unknown man at Flinders Street station at about 11am on Sunday, before the pair went to a park near Federation Square.

The man in the Santa hat helped the 54-year-old to the toilet, but he found himself stuck there when his maroon electric mobility aid was taken, along with a number of attached shopping bags, Victorian Police said.

“The (victim) was stranded in the toilet for about an hour when a passer-by came to his aid,” police spokesperson Melissa Seach said.

Camera Icon The thief left the victim stranded in a public toilet. Credit: Victoria Police

The man’s wheelchair was later found at the corner of Wellington Parade and Jolimont Road in East Melbourne on Sunday afternoon.

The suspect is believed to be Caucasian in appearance, and between 20 and 24 years old.

He was wearing a Santa hat, black jumper and camouflage pants, police said.

Investigators have released images of a man wanted in connection with the incident but no arrests have been made.