Manual gearbox foils carjacker: NSW Police

A man who allegedly ordered a woman out of her car in Sydney's inner west and tried to steal her car was foiled because the vehicle was a manual.

The man allegedly opened the 47-year-old woman's car door as she was stopped at traffic lights in Ashfield on Monday afternoon, tugged on her arm and told her to get out, police said.

When he couldn't drive the vehicle, police allege he stole the woman's purse and ran from the scene.

A 41-year-old man was later arrested and charged with robbery and assault offences and is due to appear at Central Local Court on Tuesday.