Man faces court after allegedly abducting baby, kicking pregnant partner in stomach

A 25-year-old man has faced court charged with 12 offences after he allegedly kidnapped a baby and led police on a six-hour manhunt in Melbourne’s south-east.

The accused, from Wodonga, was handcuffed at a service station on the Hume Highway, near Donnybrook, about 6pm on Tuesday.

Police allege he assaulted his pregnant partner and the child at a Mentone address about midday.

Officers said he took the child and threatened to harm the baby and himself, before fleeing in an aqua-green coloured Toyota Yaris.

Police pursued the Yaris along the Monash Freeway and lost sight of it near Eastlink shortly after 1pm.

Witnesses told 9News they saw the Yaris reach speeds of up to 180km/h as it weaved in and out of traffic.

It’s then alleged the man dumped the Yaris on Dean Court in Cranbourne West, before switching cars and driving a silver vehicle prior to being arrested by officers from the Special Operations Group.

The child was unharmed and has been taken into care.

The accused was taken to hospital with minor injuries, and was charged yesterday with 12 offences including kicking his pregnant partner in the stomach, making threats to kill himself and the child, theft of motor vehicle and reckless driving.

Moorabbin Magistrates’ Court today heard the 25-year-old is a diagnosed schizophrenic and needs five different medications.

He has been remanded to re-appear in court on December 19.

Two other males were interviewed and have been released without charge, police said in a statement.

Two police offers also received minor injuries in the incident.