Authorities were informed that a 40-year-old woman, accompanied by her 74-year-old mother, was driving on Tooronga Road in Malvern East around noon on August 9.

As they approached a right turn onto Wattletree Road in their BMW SUV, a black Volkswagen Tiguan abruptly cut them off.

In response, the BMW driver honked her horn, prompting the Volkswagen to stop suddenly in the middle of the street.

A man emerged from the passenger side of the Volkswagen and hurled a hammer at the BMW’s windshield.

He then returned to the Volkswagen, which quickly fled along Wattletree Road.

The suspect is described as Middle Eastern in appearance, between 30 and 40 years old, approximately 178cm tall, and dressed entirely in black clothing.

The BMW windscreen was significantly damaged but neither woman was physically hurt.

Police checks revealed the Volkswagen was bearing cloned number plates.

Police have released a photo of the car in the hope somebody may recognise it or identify its occupants.