A young Vineyard man was left stranded after a carjacking by two men posing as undercover police in Schofields.
The man, travelling alone in his Subaru WRX, was followed and stopped by a white Subaru along Railway Terrace at about 2.30am on Sunday, August 10.
‘‘I was pulled over by an unmarked car with blue and red flashing LED lights on the dash,’’ he posted on Facebook.
‘‘I was asked the usual questions, license, have I been drinking, where I am heading and more.’’
He said the men told him to stand five metres away, facing the opposite direction with his pockets emptied, while they searched the car.
‘‘I was told if I attempted to turn around or make an advance to the car I would be restrained appropriately.’’
He then heard his car start and drive off towards Richmond Road.
The other car followed.
The car has not been recovered but the white Subaru was found burnt out nearby, police said.
Two men, aged 18 and 23, were charged over the weekend in relation to the carjacking as well as robberies in Prospect, Blacktown and Mount Druitt.
Both men were refused bail and will appear at Penrith Local Court on October 24.
Following news of the carjacking, it was reported on various social media sites that a driver does not need to stop for an undercover police car at night.
Hawkesbury’s Detective Inspector Paul McHugh told the Gazette this was not true.
It is illegal to continue driving once police have activated their lights.
‘‘Drivers can continue to drive to a well-lit location where there are street lights and they should keep their doors locked if they feel uncertain as to the identity of the officers,’’ he said.
‘‘My advice would be to ring triple-0 at the time to confirm if a police car is patrolling the area.’’