A two-hour police chase late Wednesday night ended with the arrest of a Selma man accused of abusing his wife and his 10-year-old stepson, and abandoning his one-year-old son.

The Selma police, working with officers from the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department and the Alabama State Troopers, arrested Kevin Leon Coleman, 29, after they found him hiding in an abandoned barn in a wooded area near County Road 44.

The incident began around 11:15 p.m. after police were notified about a domestic violence dispute at 127 Vaughan Memorial Drive, according to police reports.

Selma Police Assistant Chief Jimmy Martin said officers learned Coleman had a dispute with his 29-year-old wife and allegedly pushed his stepson. They also learned Coleman fled the scene with his one-year-old son and may have possibly been headed towards Uniontown.

“Patrol units immediately initiated a search of all routes leading from Selma to Uniontown,” Martin said.

Selma Police Officer B.W. Wright spotted Coleman’s vehicle on County Road 44 and began a pursuit. Coleman tried to elude police by abandoning his vehicle in the yard of a residence and hiding in nearby woods.

“Officer Wright immediately checked the vehicle and found the child inside,” Martin said. “He also discovered .243 long rifle next to the child. Officer Wright stayed with the child until another officer arrived to take control of the baby. The child’s mother was brought to the scene and the baby was returned to her custody.”

The Selma patrol unit, sheriff deputies, and Alabama State Troopers worked together in a two-hour search of the surrounding woods.

Trooper Thomas Averitte apprehended the suspect in the abandoned barn.

Coleman was charged with two counts of Domestic Violence (Assault) third degree, Failure to Obey a Peace Officer, and Abandonment of a Child.

Martin said Coleman was also on probation in Bibb County.

He was taken to the Dallas County Jail, where he was placed on a probationary hold.

“We are exploring both state and federal charges concerning the gun,” Martin said.

Sgt. David Hopkins and officers Frederick Walker, Brian Dixon, Reginald Fitts, Roy Nix and Eric Minor assisted in the search, along with sheriff deputies Sgt. Wayne Odum, Earnest Donaldson, Steve Davidson, Troy Stokes, John Treherne and Alabama State Trooper Christopher Fails.

“All of these officers did an outstanding job in working together and bringing this case to a close,” Martin said