A police officer drew his gun in an effort to stop a stolen Mercedes-Benz as its "crazy" driver rammed his way out of the maze of narrow streets in Sheung Wan yesterday morning.
Four vehicles were hit by the driver before he escaped against the flow of traffic, dumped the car and fled with a bag that the car's owner said contained about HK$20,000.
The man, who was said to be Asian, with apparently dyed blond hair, about 1.7 metres tall, aged in his 30s and well-built, is suspected to have been involved in an earlier vehicle theft in which a light goods van was stolen in Causeway Bay and dumped in Sheung Wan. Police were still hunting him last night.
The owner of the Mercedes told police he had parked his car in Hillier Street with the engine running at about 8am while he bought newspapers at a convenience store.
He saw the man get into the car and drive away down Wing Lok Street before being blocked by traffic and reversing back into Hillier Street.
"The driver was crazy. He tried to mount the pavement but failed," a witness said.