Taree taxi snatched, driver attacked by man before stolen Subaru WRX taken to Sydney caught in six-car pile up

Police are hunting for a thug who violently carjacked a Mid-North Coast cabbie and attacked a dog walker before crashing a stolen Subaru WRX in Sydney. Here’s what we know.

Manning Great Lakes police were told that about 1am on Thursday August 15 a man entered a taxi on Albert Street at Taree.

A thug has bashed a 70-year-old taxi driver and stolen his cab at Taree before he crashed the vehicle into a fence, fled and confronted a woman walking her dog.

The man attacked the woman and snatched her bag, as well as her car keys and Subaru WRX before he drove the sports car to Sydney and was involved in a six-car pile up almost 10 hours later, according to NSW Police.

Manning Great Lakes police were told the man got into a taxi on Albert St at Taree on the Mid-North Coast about 1am on Thursday, August 15.

Police state the cabbie was attacked a short time later and the offender forced him from the car before driving off.

The taxi driver suffered minor injuries in the carjacking. Picture: Janine Watson.

The taxi continued along the Pacific Highway to Jones Island, where it left the road, hit a fence and the driver fled.

Soon after, the 59-year-old woman was walking her dog when she was assaulted by the stranger, who took the WRX keys.

The driver of the taxi was taken to Manning Base Hospital to be treated for minor injuries and was later released, while the woman did not require treatment.

Police from a specialist command then tried to stop the blue Subaru on Pennant Hills Rd, West Pennant Hills about 10.35am on the same day.

The car did not stop and was involved in a crash along with five other vehicles before a male driver was spotted fleeing the area.

Police state there as no pursuit and no reports of injuries.

The Hills Police Area Command officers launched an investigation and checks revealed the Subaru was the one stolen near Taree, according to a statement.

Police have seized the Subaru for forensic examination.

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