A 20-year-old man was today under police guard in hospital after the alleged attack at his grandparents’ home in East St, Bega before allegedly attacking an innocent motorist with a hammer and stealing his car.

The alleged crime spree began at the grandparents’ home on Friday at 3pm, with the man’s 71-year-old seriously injured grandfather managing to escape onto the street and flag down a passing motorist for help.

When emergency services arrived at the house they found his 69-year-old wife suffering critical injuries.

She died at South East Regional Hospital while her husband was rushed to Canberra Hospital in a critical condition.

Police allege the couple’s grandson took off from the Bega home in the couple’s car.

South Coast Police District duty officer Inspector Sue Charman-Horton said the man then abandoned that vehicle before carjacking another car.

During the carjacking on Sapphire Coast Drive in Bournda, about 20km away, the man allegedly hit a 55-year-old man over the head with a hammer.

The alleged offender then crashed the stolen car 500 metres down the road before running into bushland.

After an extensive search involving PolAir and police negotiators, the 20-year-old was arrested in bushland just after 8pm.

A man from the Bournda area, who didn’t want to be identified, said residents were told to stay indoors while the manhunt was underway.

“Police told the neighbours that he was in the vicinity and could be in their backyard,” the man told The Sunday Telegraph.

“For a lot of neighbours, it was quite concerning.”

The 20-year-old man was taken to hospital for mental health assessment and remained under police guard on Saturday.

The carjacking victim and the grandfather also remained in hospital in critical condition.

“We know the community is supporting the families involved in this because of the strength of the community,” Inspector Charman-Horton said.

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