NSW taxi thief attempts carjacking

A high-speed pursuit of a stolen taxi south of Wollongong has ended when the alleged thief stopped the car and attempted a carjacking.

Police allege a 26-year-old man stole the taxi from outside a shopping centre at Warrawong, near Port Kembla, while the driver was elsewhere.

After a short police chase the man abandoned the taxi at Avondale and attempted to take another car at knifepoint before being subdued by the pusuing officers.

The Thirroul man has been refused bail to appear at Port Kembla Local Court on Sunday on various charges including aggravated assault.