Jamie Twal in court after alleged public carjacking in Merrylands

A man who allegedly stole a car at gunpoint as onlookers watched in terror has faced court after a carjacking led to a manhunt. Here is what we know.

Merrylands man who allegedly held up a driver in a terrifying public carjacking has faced court after a manhunt involving a police helicopter. Generic image. Photo: Tom Parrish

A Sydney man who allegedly held up a driver in a terrifying public carjacking has faced court after a manhunt involving a police helicopter.

Police allege 30-year-old Jamie Twal got into the back of a Toyota on Hilltop Rd, Merrylands, around 6pm on Friday, October 11, before threatening the 55-year-old driver with a gun and demanding he drive him to Villawood.

The terrified driver allegedly took Twal a short distance before handing the vehicle over on Crimea St, Parramatta, out of fear for his own safety. There were no reports of injuries.

A short time after, police were called to the scene in Merrylands, they found the stolen Toyota abandoned on Boronia St, Ermington.

Twal was tracked down with the help of Polair and arrested on Boyle St, Ermington, around 7pm.

Polair were called in during a manhunt for Jamie Twal, after he allegedly stole a car at gunpoint and demanded the driver take him to Villawood. Generic image.

He was later charged with stealing the car, larceny of less or equal to $2000, not give identifying details to he other driver, driving while disqualified and using a weapon to commit an indictable offence.

He spent the night in the watch house and faced Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday, October 12, to make a bid for freedom.

The court was told Twal lived in Merrylands with his mother and had previously served prison time for robbery.

Twal was denied bail out of concerns of further offending, failing to appear in court and further risking the safety of the community.

He was remanded in custody and is expected to face Parramatta Local Court on October 16.