A manhunt is on for the man police believe stole an Audi that was later involved in a fatal police pursuit that claimed the life of a toddler in Sydney's western suburbs.
Police on Friday released an image of Christopher Chandler, 22, who is wanted over the theft of a charcoal-coloured Audi A4 sedan from Anzac Parade at Kingsford between 10:30am and midday on Wednesday.
The same car was involved in a police pursuit at about 7pm at Constitution Hill, west of Parramatta, that resulted in the death of 17-month-old Tateolena Tauaifaga.
Witnesses said as the Audi was pursued by a four-strong police convoy through Constitution Hill it came to a dead end at Bessbrook Way before it entered the driveway of a home , which was barely five metres wide, and swerved violently to the right, before smashing through the fence.
The first police car followed down the driveway only to be stopped dead in its tracks by the body of the toddler.
A police source said they genuinely did not yet know which car hit the toddler and it would require the results of a post-mortem and several witness statements before they could determine anything conclusively.
Police said the Audi was recovered just after 7:30pm on Bourke Street near the intersection of Forbes Street at Darlinghurst.
An alleged passenger in the Audi, Katie Tuite, 22, was later arrested in Clapton Place, Darlinghurst. It is alleged that, when the Ms Tuite was searched, she was found in possession of prohibited drugs. She is alleged to have been a passenger in a stolen vehicle involved in the pursuit.
Ms Tuite was taken to Kings Cross police station and charged with supplying a prohibited drug and two counts of possessing a prohibited drug. She appeared before Central Local Court on Friday where she did not apply for bail.
Police on Friday night were trying to locate Chandler, who is wanted on an arrest warrant regarding the car theft.
Chandler, 22, is described as being of Caucasian appearance, fair complexion, with short brown hair, facial hair, about 175-185cm tall, green/hazel-coloured eyes and of a thin build.
If anyone sees Chandler, they're urged not to approach him, but to contact Triple Zero immediately.
