A Columbia man is charged with aggravated kidnapping following an incident that occurred Saturday evening involving a young neighbor.

Robert A. Fricke, 45, is charged with one count of aggravated kidnapping, one count of aggravated battery, and one count of unlawful restraint. He remains in custody at the Monroe County Jail in Waterloo on $250,000 bond.

Columbia police responded to the 900 block of North Metter Avenue at about 6:50 p.m. Saturday to investigate an attempted child abduction. After conducting an investigation, officers arrested Fricke.

Police said Fricke is accused of taking a boy under the age of 13 against his will and unlawfully detaining the boy in the basement of his home. The boy was apparently playing outside when Fricke grabbed the child and took him to his residence against his will.

“While unlawfully detaining the child, Fricke caused bodily harm to the victim,” Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards said.

Police said the boy required medical attention, but did not suffer injuries that were life-threatening. Court information alleges Fricke bit the left ear of the boy. People familiar with the incident said the boy’s father, who had been watching his son through a window from inside their home, noticed his son missing from the yard and saw Fricke carrying something or someone into his home. The father rushed over to Fricke’s residence and rescued his son after just a short period of time.

Fricke, a Red Bud native, is scheduled to appear in court on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. Court records indicate Fricke currently faces a battery charge in St. Clair County stemming from an August 2009 incident in which it is alleged Fricke attacked a young boy at a Target store in Fairview Heights. That case has been delayed because doubts have been raised as to Fricke’s mental fitness to stand trial.