Man charged, woman injured after alleged carjacking in Sydney CBD

A man has been charged over an alleged carjacking in Sydney’s CBD that left a pedestrian injured and a woman allegedly attacked.

Johnny Jose Starri, from South Australia, remains under police guard in hospital and has been charged with a slew of offences over the driving rampage.

He is accused of approaching a woman at about 9pm on Thursday before allegedly stealing a Mazda and driving on the wrong side of George Street.

Detectives say the woman, 25, was returning to her parked car when the 36-year-old allegedly climbed over the roof and bonnet before allegedly forcibly removing her from her vehicle.

After allegedly speeding away and losing control, the allegedly stolen car collided with a rideshare vehicle at the intersection of Market Street.

It’s then alleged the car struck a nearby stationary police vehicle with two officers inside.

But it didn’t end there, as Starri allegedly lost control twice and crashed again on Market Street.

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The allegedly stolen vehicle struck a bollard, which flew off and hit a QVB shopper in the head.

She was taken to hospital in a stable condition with cuts to her head.

Police arrested the alleged carjacker before taking him to hospital for mandatory testing.

Acting Superintendent Adam Solah said the man was unknown to NSW Police but was known to South Australia Police.

“We are very lucky that no one was seriously injured,” Solah said.

“A number of bystanders came in to offer medical assistance to everyone involved, and they did a really good job of doing that,”

Starri was charged with assault with intent to take/drive a motor vehicle, negligent driving, common assault, and destroying or damaging property.

He was refused bail at a bedside court hearing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has mobile phone or dashcam footage, should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.