A 22-year-old has been charged after a brazen carjacking in broad daylight in the leafy Auckland suburb of Mt Eden.

The incident happened near the popular cafe Circus Circus on the corner of Mt Eden Rd and Ngauruhoe St on Saturday afternoon.

Senior Sergeant Alan Rowland told the Herald the victim was parked on Ngauruhoe St about 4.35pm when the 22-year-old allegedly started throwing items at the car.

The victim got out of his car, but then got punched and had his car stolen, Rowland said.

“Police were contacted and the Eagle helicopter was deployed,” he said.

The Eagle tracked the car being driven to Ponsonby and it was dumped on Clarence St, about 7km away from where it was taken.

The offender then fled on foot.

The Eagle tracked the man and informed officers on the ground of his movements, leading to his arrest.

The 22-year-old was put in front of the Auckland District Court on charges of aggravated assault, dangerous driving and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

He was remanded in custody to reappear on February 7.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.