Victim thwarts would-be Sydney gold thief

A thief is on the run after a bungled attempt to steal almost $100,000 of gold on Sydney's north shore.

Police say a 50-year-old man was dropping off a passenger in Chatswood on Sunday afternoon when a man got into his car and hit him in the face with a metal object, before snatching a bag containing $94,000 worth of gold.

The victim gave chase and a fight broke out between the two men.

The 50-year-old was able to wrest back the bag of gold and the assailant fled.

The victim was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital with lacerations to his face.