Police are urging a hit-run driver to surrender after she allegedly struck a 68-year-old father in Heidelberg West, leaving him fighting for his life.
The woman was captured on CCTV in Blackwood Parade on Saturday night, moments before the incident.
Altercation before the crash
Police say she was looking for an easy target when she spotted the victim's 2018 Honda CR-V left running outside his home.
"She's been confronted by the car owner and a verbal altercation has started," Detective Acting Inspector Paul Lineham from the Major Collision Investigation Unit said.
But the woman took off anyway, running over the 68-year-old man and speeding away.
Family traumatised
The victim's wife was left on the road, desperately trying to save her husband's life.
"I've spoken to the family this morning. They are absolutely traumatised with the events that happened on Saturday night," Lineham said.
"Incredibly angry that this happened and that the father got left on the road with these life-threatening injuries."
Victim in critical condition
The victim underwent emergency surgery last night but remains in a critical condition.
Police say the victim had only been inside his home for about a minute when the thief struck.
The stolen Honda CR-V has registration plates AXA625, which may have since been removed.
Description and appeal
The woman is described as being in her 40s, Caucasian with a slim build and long dark hair.
Police say there's no doubt the woman would have known exactly what she'd done.
"Time for panic is over. That's it. It's time for you to hand yourself in right now," Lineham said.
"Don't wait to be arrested to decide that you're now going to show some remorse. If you are truly remorseful, if you have any shred of decency at all, hand yourself in now and let yourself be known to police."