Man Used Car as Weapon Against Pregnant Girlfriend, Deputies Say

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A 26-year-old Tampa man faces a host of charges after Pasco County deputies say he used his car to repeatedly ram another vehicle with his pregnant girlfriend inside.

The incident unfolded early Monday when sheriff’s deputies say Matthew Jake Wildeman went to the New Port Richey home of his girlfriend’s grandmother. Wildeman, the sheriff’s office Facebook page states, began to punch and kick his girlfriend.

The girl ran to her car to avoid further assault, deputies said, but Wildeman is accused of then breaking the mirrors on the car before getting into his own vehicle and “repeatedly ramming the victim’s car.”

Wildeman took off following the assault, but returned a short time later. At that point, deputies brought him into custody.

Wildeman now faces two counts of attempted murder. The arrest also resulted in violation of probation charges.

Wildeman was being held at the Land O’ Lakes Jail Wednesday without bond.

Photo courtesy of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office