Police are asking for public assistance about several robberies and a police pursuit in West Kempsey last night.
About 8pm, a 79-year-old man was inside a home on Warwick Avenue when he answered a knock at the door.
Police were told five people, one armed with a large knife, threatened the elderly man and demanded his car keys.
The man gave the group his keys, before they drove away in a silver Toyota Hilux.
About 15 minutes later, police were patrolling the South Kempsey area when they saw a silver Toyota Hilux accelerate.
Police tried to stop the vehicle on Middleton Street; but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit started.
The Hilux continued through several streets allegedly reaching speeds of more than 110km/h in an 80km/h zone, before turning onto the Pacific Motorway and the Macleay Valley Way at Frederickton.
The vehicle continued through Frederickton at speed before police stopped the pursuit due to safety concerns.
A short time later, officers found the Hilux abandoned after it crashed into a fence on Leith Street, West Kempsey.
An investigation has now been launched and as inquiries continue, police want to speak to five people who may be able to help them.
The armed man is described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait appearance, aged in his late teens to early 20s, between 165cm to 170cm tall, of a solid build and wearing dark clothing. His face was also covered.
The other four people – believed to be three men and one woman – are described as being aged in their late teens and early 20s.
Police are asking anyone who was in the Kempsey or Frederickton areas between 8pm and 9pm with information about the incidents to call Kempsey Police.
