Photo: 3aw.com.au

Police allege the man entered a taxi near the intersection of Stephensons Road and Waverley Road just after 4.30pm and requested to be taken to Melbourne.

Whilst been driven along Waverley Road heading for the freeway, the passenger allegedly produced a knife and attacked the driver, causing minor injuries.

The quick thinking taxi driver stopped the taxi, grabbed his keys and fled from the vehicle.

The passenger then allegedly climbed into the driver’s seat and managed to roll the taxi some distance towards the freeway onramp.

Police arrived quickly and despite allegedly being threatened by the 22-year-old man, officers chased him down, deployed their spray and arrested him.

The Mt Waverley man was charged with numerous offences including armed robbery, intentionally and recklessly cause injury and assault with a weapon.

He was remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later today.

The 41-year-old taxi driver was taken to hospital to be treated and the attending police were not injured.