A man accused of stealing a car from a mother and her two children while armed with an axe and a knife on Brisbane's northside has been remanded in custody after appearing in court on a string of charges.

Police allege 24-year-old Joshua Fairbrother, from Hillcrest, confronted the 35-year-old woman at Chermside West on Wednesday.

He drove off after the woman removed her two young children from the vehicle.

Police used a tyre deflation device to stop the wanted car on the Gateway Motorway early this morning.

Mr Fairbrother has been charged with offences including evading police, armed robbery, stealing and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance.

There was no application for bail in the Magistrates Court in Brisbane, with the matter to return to court in April.