The 47-year-old man from Hittfeld in northern Germany has been charged with false imprisonment, police said, after he bundled the terrified prankster into his car, furious at what he said was a "dangerous stunt".
Authorities praised the swift action of an eagle-eyed pedestrian who called police when she saw the boy being forced into the car against his will.
The boys were later picked up at the police station by their parents.