A major police manhunt is under way in Sydney’s west after a masked man armed with a knife and hammer robbed multiple people – appearing to target women.
On Wednesday morning police were called by multiple members of the public about a man trespassing on properties around Northmead.
About 5.10am, a 37-year-old man was inside a petrol station on Windsor Road when police allege the wanted man stole his Mitsubishi Outlander SUV.
Ten minutes later a 47-year-old woman was walking on Mons Road when the man stopped the SUV near her. Sensing something was wrong, the woman attempted to run away as the man approached her.
The woman tripped over and the man was able to flee with her handbag.
Shortly after, the man drove to Junia Avenue, Toongabbie, where he attempted to steal a bag from a 19-year-old woman. The pair struggled over the bag before the man pulled out a knife and again fled the scene.
In yet another incident that police believe was committed by the same man, a 27-year-old woman was walking on North Rocks Road in North Parramatta when the man allegedly hit her in the shoulder with a hammer.
She handed over her purse and phone and the man ran away.
The woman’s relatives were able to track the man’s location using her phone, but before they could confront the alleged attacker, he approached the family’s car and smashed the windscreen with the hammer.
He then got into a physical altercation with one of the woman’s family members – a 27-year-old man – before the alleged attacker ran away.
CCTV captured a man matching the description provided by police.Credit: Nine News
The SUV was found nearby and has been taken for forensic examination.
Police are calling on the public to identify the man, who is described as being of medium build and in his mid-20s, wearing a black beanie, balaclava, a black Nike hoodie and black gloves. Do not approach the man, but call triple zero straight away.
Police appealed for help in finding the man and released CCTV vision showing the man’s face on Thursday afternoon.
The footage shows him moving down a corridor, opening a door apparently using his sleeve so as not to leave fingerprints on the handle, and jogging across a driveway and a road.
NSW Police Superintendent Barry Vincent said it was too early to determine the motivation of the alleged attacker, but believed the man was opportunistic in selecting women walking alone in the early hours of the morning.
He warned women to stick to major roads when walking alone and said the victims who handed over their property to the man did the right thing.
“Property can be replaced, your safety is of the utmost,” Vincent said.
Police are also investigating potential links to a number of robberies in the area over the weekend.
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