The 27-year-old was forced to drive a man to Numurkah, Cobram and Yarrawonga after being held up with the weapon in Shepparton on Monday.

The knife was held to his side over two-and-a-half hours as he drove through the towns.

The ordeal came to an end in Yarrawonga after the offender got out of the car and into a waiting red Holden Commodore near Bruce Road. 

Detective Acting Sergeant Shane Kervin said the victim had been struck in the head by an unknown object at the end of the journey. 

“He’s was fairly shaken up and left in shock,” he said. 

“He’s got a young child and he’s just glad that he didn’t have the child in the car when it occurred.” 

The offender, described as an Aboriginal man of medium build, 170 to 175cm tall, with a moustache and slightly bent nose, barely spoke during the ordeal. 

He was wearing a black hoodie when he approached the victim on the corner of Wilmot and Colliver roads in Shepparton about 12.40pm. 

The victim’s car is a distinctive grey Holden Rodeo dual cab utility with a flat tray and white wheels. 

The offender entered a red Holden Commodore, believed to be a VT or VX model, which was seen speeding towards Cobram. 

The man is still at large. 

Anyone with information can call Shepparton police on (03) 5820 5777 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.