A man is said to have stolen someone else's car in Kehl am Rhein near France - with an eleven-year-old girl on the back seat.
According to the police, the child's mother only wanted to run a short errand near the station forecourt on Monday afternoon and left the key in the vehicle.
The 44-year-old man got into the car and raced to France with the child.
He is said to have been under the influence of narcotics.
When the man was pursued by the police, he drove back to Germany via the Pierre Pflimlin Bridge, it was said.
Several police vehicles followed him.
Eventually he was asked by officials from the Offenburg traffic service and arrested for the time being.
The girl remained unharmed "despite the daring ride," the police said.
Police are looking for witnesses
"On the route from Kehl via France to Kappel-Grafenhausen, the vehicle thief had damaged several cars, some of them severely, on his escape."
The police are now looking for other victims and witnesses.
The alleged car thief has been reported in France.
"Due to the overall circumstances, an investigation into the urgent suspicion of deprivation of liberty was also initiated," the police reported.
aar/dpa