A prowler and thief who has been attacking women across Sydney’s west and northwest will strike again, police believe.
Police are searching for the man, who they say has been caught on camera during a stalking and robbery spree.
About 4am on Wednesday, CCTV caught the man during a robbery rampage across Northmead, police said.
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Over the next hour, police say they were called about a man trespassing at several properties in the area.
Just after 5am, officers were called to a service station on Windsor Rd at North Rocks, where they say the masked attacker carjacked a man’s white Mitsubishi Outlander SUV as the motorist bought fuel.
The masked man then used the vehicle to carry out three violent assaults on women, police allege.
First, he allegedly attacked a 47-year-old from behind as she walked along Mons Rd, Northmead, about 5.20am.
Police said she tried to run but tripped over and he allegedly stole her handbag.
While officers responded to that incident, a 19-year-old woman called triple-0 after she was allegedly threatened with a flick knife while walking along Junia Ave, Toongabbie, about 5.40am.
During the struggle, the man stole her bag before leaving in the SUV, police said.
About 15 minutes later, a 27-year-old was allegedly struck with a hammer as she walked on North Rocks Rd, North Parramatta.
“The woman has handed the man her purse and mobile phone … and (he) left the scene driving the SUV,” police said.
Friends of the woman tracked her phone and traced the offender to a nearby property, where he allegedly assaulted one of the men with a hammer and again ran from the scene.
The incidents triggered a major manhunt, with the dog and riot squads deployed to track the man’s movements.
“I describe this as particularly cowardly, just targeting women walking alone, in the early hours, from behind,” Superintendent Barry Vincent said.
“While we weren’t able to come across this offender during the morning, it is of concern to us that the offending continues.”
The wide-scale police operation forced Christ the King Primary School in North Rocks into lockdown about 11am, as parents received an email saying officers had advised staff to keep students inside as precaution.
Police are investigating if the same man is responsible for break-ins at several homes in the same area two days earlier.
Over the past three nights, the same man has been captured on security videos across Sydney’s northwest as he allegedly scoured homes and tried to steal cars.
On Sunday night, one homeowner tried to give chase but lost sight of him.
Anyone who sees the man is urged not to approach him and contact triple-0 immediately.
He is described as of medium build, in his 20s, wearing a black beanie, black balaclava, a black Nike hoodie, black long pants, black gloves and black shoes.
Anyone with information or any available CCTV, mobile phone or dashcam footage is asked to contact Parramatta Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.