A Fredericksburg man was arrested early today after he broke into a house and dispensed pepper spray before leaving with his son, police said.

City police spokeswoman Natatia Bledsoe said police responded to the 1000 block of Railroad Avenue about 3:40 a.m.

The suspect and the mother of his 16-month-old son had gotten into an argument over the telephone regarding visitation with the child, Bledsoe said.

The suspect showed up at the home a short time later and forced his way inside. He immediately sprayed pepper spray into the face of a 58-year-old man.

The 21-year-old mother was holding the baby nearby. Bledsoe said she was overcome by the spray, and the suspect grabbed the child and left.

A 50-year-old woman was also in the house. She closed her bedroom door during the incident and called police.

While police were interviewing the victims, Bledsoe said, they saw the suspect’s car go by on Gates Street.

Police stopped the car and took the suspect into custody without further incident. The baby was unharmed and was returned to the mother.

Ruebin Fletcher, 21, was charged with breaking and entering with the intent to commit a felony, child endangerment, child abuse, assault and battery and domestic assault and battery. He was placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail under no bond.

The victims were treated by rescue workers at the scene. Their home was ventilated to eliminate the effects of the pepper spray, Bledsoe said.

Keith Epps: 540/374-5404 kepps@freelancestar.com