A man allegedly stalked a woman and child, and tried to kidnap two children during separate incidents in Melbourne’s north.
The 41-year-old allegedly followed a woman and child into a pharmacy on Victoria St, Coburg about 8.20pm on Monday, October 6.
When the pair left, the man allegedly followed them to their car, which was parked nearby.
As the woman and child were getting into the car, the man allegedly opened the door and got into the back passenger seat.
The child got out of the car and ran off but the man allegedly followed her.
She ran back inside the pharmacy for help while the man allegedly waited outside for a short time before walking away.
Police say not long later the man allegedly climbed a fence and entered church grounds on Victoria St.
He allegedly approached a child and asked the youngster to leave with him.
“Adults were alerted and the man attempted to flee the scene, before being detained until police arrived,” Victoria Police said.
The man was arrested and taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He was interviewed and charged with several offences including two counts of stalking, two counts of attempted child stealing and grooming for sexual conduct with a child under the age of 16.
He was remanded to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on October, 22.
Police are continuing to investigate.
A 41-year-old man allegedly followed a woman and child into a pharmacy on Victoria St, Coburg on Monday, October 6. Credit: Google Maps