Police are ramping up the search for an alleged prowler who has been terrorising Sydney’s North West Rocks area for days.
The man allegedly attacked four women on Wednesday during a violent rampage, sparking a major manhunt.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Police release CCTV of accused armed robber.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
New CCTV shows the suspect unmasked and darting between driveways in North Rocks.
The security video shows bystanders stopping in their tracks at Toongabbie as a 19-year-old woman was threatened with a flick knife about 5.40am Wednesday.
“I heard the lady scream out, ‘Help me, help me’,” one witness told 7NEWS.
“I was shocked from what I saw. She was a bit distraught.”
The masked offender allegedly took off with the woman’s bag before speeding away in a Mitsubishi SUV, which had been reported stolen from a Northmead service station.
Police allege the man used that car to reach all his victims.
The first reported incident was at 5.20am on Wednesday, when the man allegedly pushed a 47-year-old hospital worker to the ground in Northmead and stole her handbag as she walked along Mons Rd.
Then, there was the alleged incident involving the 19-year-old in Toongabbie about 20 minutes later.
The man then allegedly hit a 27-year-old woman with a hammer and stole her purse and phone as she walked on North Rocks Rd, North Parramatta, about 6.05am.
Friends of the woman tracked her phone to a nearby property, where the offender allegedly assaulted one of the men with a hammer and again ran from the scene.
The incidents triggered a manhunt, with the police dog and riot squads deployed to track his movements.
The allegedly stolen car has been located and is undergoing forensic examination.
Extra police patrols
From Thursday night, police are ramping up patrols in the city’s northwest to alleviate community fears as the search for the man continues.
While all victims so far have been women, officers believe the attacks are not targeted.
“They’re quite opportunistic in nature,” Superintendent Barry Vincent said.
“For community members, I just ask that they obviously take care when they are out walking around, ideally if they can walk in more brightly lit areas.”
The man is described as having a slim build and olive complexion, with short black mullet-style hair.
He was wearing a beanie, balaclava, hoodie, long pants, gloves and shoes — all black.
Police are investigating if the same man is responsible for reported break-ins at several homes in the same area two days earlier.
They said it was likely he trespassed through dozens of properties in his pursuit to get away, and they are urging residents in Northmead and North Rocks to check their security cameras.
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.