A man from Thessaloniki has been arrested and charged with attempted abduction after he left a notebook detailing plans to demand a 1.5-million-euro ransom at the home of the young child he allegedly tried to kidnap.

The unnamed 53-year-old was arrested on Friday, police said yesterday, after trying to kidnap an 18-month-old baby. The attempted kidnapping took place last Tuesday but officers traced the man through the notebook he left behind.

The suspect is in a dispute over inheritance with the family whose child he attempted to snatch, officers said. He was wearing a crash helmet when he arrived at the family’s home on Tuesday, pretending to be a courier bringing sweets and toys for the child.

When the baby’s mother opened the door, he attempted to take the child but the woman fought him off and forced him to drop the bags before he fled the house.

Officers found his notes in one of the bags, which indicated his intention to keep the child for two days and demand 1.5 million euros in ransom.