POLICE are on the hunt for a man who carjacked an elderly driver, before crashing the car and escaping on foot.
About 5pm Thursday a man was driving his Mazda 3 sedan in a southerly direction on the Pacific Highway at Highfields, when another man entered the car via the passenger door.
It is alleged the man demanded the driver, aged 89, give him his keys before the driver entered a service station and parked the vehicle.
The man then forcibly removed the 89 year old from the vehicle and grabbed the keys before driving away on the Pacific Highway at speed.
Shortly after, a Mazda 3 was observed being driven erratically along Lexington Parade, Kotara, outside a shopping centre.
The car allegedly collided with five vehicles between Lexington Parade and Park Avenue.
The Mazda 3 was again sighted driving down Howe Street, Lambton, before crashing into an unattended parked vehicle and a second car waiting at the traffic lights near the intersection of Hobart Street.
Following the collisions, the man fled from the Mazda 3 on foot across Lambton Park and was later observed running through properties on Karoola and Fitzroy roads.
The man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his 30s, with a solid build. He was last seen wearing a dark hooded jumper and a white baseball cap.
The owner of the vehicle was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics for minor injuries including an abrasion and bruising.
Officers attached to Lake Macquarie Police District attended and commenced an investigation.
Police are now appealing for anyone who may have dashcam vision or any further information about the whereabouts of the man to come forward.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
