A major manhunt has been launched for a man who stole a car in a Melbourne CBD laneway and ran over the vehicle’s owner.

He was left with serious injuries after he clung onto the bonnet of the red four-wheel-drive in an attempt to stop the stranger after 3pm yesterday.

CCTV footage has shown a man in a blue hoodie on an e-scooter approach the vehicle on Hardware Lane, put his scooter in the back seat and jump in the driver’s seat.

As he attempted to drive off, the car’s owner stood in front of the car in an attempt to stop the vehicle as bystanders rushed to his aid.

The thief continued to drive down the street and over a speed bump as the owner clung onto the bonnet of the car.

The footage shows he is eventually run over as the car takes off.

One witness said the car’s owner appeared to be “in a bad condition” as a few people attempted to give him first aid.

“We basically ran out and I saw how the guy was rolling under the wheels,” witness Rus told 9News.

“It was quite an absurd thing to see in the daylight.”

The man remains in the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition.

Senior Constable Mark Hall said the man was lucky to have escaped with minor injuries.

“Our victim has then been dragged 15 to 20 metres at the front of the car then subsequently run over,” Hall said.

“Very shaken up, he’s got external injuries, like abrasions to his body but otherwise no internal injuries.”

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.