Patrich John Barba Baula, 30, in custody after Margaret River hitchhiker ‘knife’ warning

A man who was reported missing in the Margaret River region is now in custody after an alleged terrifying attempted carjacking near Rosa Glen.

Welfare concerns for Perth man Patrich John Barba Baula, 30, were ramped up after police warned residents about a man believed to be hitchhiking along Mowen Road on the way to Nannup on Monday.

Busselton Detectives took Mr Baula into custody later that afternoon and will allege the 30-year-old flagged down another motorist after his own car broke down in dense bush.

It was alleged Mr Baula led the good Samaritan, who gave him a lift, into bushland before trying to steal his car at knife-point in a terrifying alleged incident on the outskirts of Rosa Glen.

Detectives said Mr Baula had broken down in bushland and was walking along Mowen Road before flagging down a passing vehicle.

The driver, a man in his 60s, stopped and offered a lift to Mr Baula, who police claim led the man into bushland.

Mr Baula then allegedly threatened the driver with a knife before trying to steal his car and then fled the area on foot.

“The driver of the vehicle ... sustained minor injuries,” a police spokeswoman said.

Police launched an urgent search for Mr Baula — and had warned the public against picking up a potentially armed hitchhiker — before they found him a short time later with his own vehicle.

Mr Baula was charged with attempted aggravated armed robbery and possessing a prohibited drug, namely cannabis, over the terrifying alleged school holidays incident.

He faced Bunbury Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday afternoon and was remanded in custody.

He was expected to make a bail application on yesterday after the Times went to press.

Earlier this month, an alert was put out amid concerns for Mr Baula’s welfare after it was believed he left Perth unexpectedly without alerting family and friends.