Man facing multiple charges after dramatic carjacking, police pursuit in Sydney’s west

A man is facing multiple charges after allegedly stealing a car at knifepoint, wounding another man and sparking a dramatic police pursuit with two children in the car.

The incident began on Saturday afternoon when police were called to Moreton St, Lakemba, about half-an-hour southwest of the Sydney CBD, for a welfare check on a 36-year-old man.

Police say the man was later spotted driving on Lakemba St, where they attempted to pull him over.

When he allegedly refused to stop, a pursuit was initiated which travelled through Belmore and Belfield before being called off due to the man’s erratic driving.

A short time later, police say he crashed into a hatchback in nearby Lidcombe before entering the vehicle with two children and threatening the female driver with a knife, forcing her out of the car.

A 25-year-old passerby was allegedly injured after stopping to help and attempting to remove the woman’s car keys.

The 36-year-old then escaped in the woman’s vehicle and headed westward on the M4 Mwy before stopping on the Cumberland Hwy, where he left the car and was restrained by an off-duty officer and members of the public.

He was arrested and taken to hospital under police guard, where he remained on Sunday afternoon and was expected to appear in court the same day charged with dangerous driving, armed robbery and reckless wounding.

The children were taken to hospital as a precaution for treatment of minor injuries.