SPRINGFIELD, Tenn. (WKRN) – A man accused of a violent kidnapping attempt of his 1-year-old daughter has been arrested.
Springfield’s police chief told News 2 Dennis Ruland was arrested on Monday in Georgia.
The alleged kidnapping happened at 4:16 p.m. Sunday at the Sonic located at 3555 Tom Austin Highway.
Authorities were called to the area for a shots fired call.
When they arrived to the scene, they learned that 19-year-old Dennis Ruland attempted to kidnap his biological daughter from his ex-girlfriend.
According to police, he followed the mother to Sonic and grabbed the child from her car.
When the woman tried to take the child back, Ruland reportedly pulled out a 45 cal semi-automatic weapon and discharged it at her.
He then managed to put the child in his car where he had parked a short distance away. As the mother again tried to reach for her baby, Ruland hit her in the head with his weapon, according to police.
She was eventually able to get the baby and jump from the car as Ruland slowed down at the intersection of New Cut Road and Betts Road, which is about seven miles from Sonic.
Witnesses called 911 for help and the mother and child were taken to a hospital with severe but non-life threatening injuries.
At the time of his arrest Monday, Ruland was already wanted for aggravated domestic assault, vandalism, theft, domestic assault and criminal trespassing from other incidents involving his ex-girlfriend.
While being transported to the sheriff’s department, Ruland attempted to kick out the back window of the patrol unit.
He was also in the company of 19-year-old Teresa Silva who has been charged with assisting him in the kidnapping.
She was developed as a suspect after a weapon used in the kidnapping came back as registered to her husband, who reported the weapon as stolen on Saturday, according to a press release from police.
Authorities say she was separated from her husband and in a relationship with Ruland.