Police searching for man after police car smashed with hammer

Conwaye Brown, 31, was brandishing a hammer and acting aggresively towards members of the public on Coronation Rd in Morrinsville on Tuesday.

Police are searching for a man who chased after and smashed a police car with a hammer before speeding away in a car he stole at knife-point.

Conwaye Brown, 31, was allegedly brandishing a hammer and acting aggresively towards members of the public on Coronation Rd in Morrinsville on Tuesday.

He allegedly tried to hit a passing motorist's car, and a police officer attended the scene.

When Brown saw the patrol car he allegedly raised the hammer and started running towards the vehicle.

As the officer tried to drive away Brown allegedly hit the car twice with the hammer on the driver's side.

The offender then took a large knife from his bag and approached a man who had got out of his Ford Falcon XR6 to talk to a friend.

He allegedly demanded the man's keys before getting in the vehicle and realising they were still in the ignition.

The offender then sped away and was followed by police through Morrinsville, but police abandoned the pursuit.

Brown has a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in court on other charges.

The stolen car, registration FQJ176 was last seen driving towards the Coromandel.