An elderly Perth woman has spoken about the moment she tried to fight back against a “mongrel” axe-wielding intruder.

Maureen says the man used a tomahawk to smash his way through the back door of her North Perth home around 6am on February 17.

He stole car keys before Maureen came face-to-face with the intruder. Instead of backing down, the 70-year-old says instinct just kicked in as she tried to prevent him stealing her car.

Camera Icon Maureen says she was woken by an intruder inside her North Perth home. Credit: 7 News

“It’s just instinct,” she said.

“He opened the door, I pushed it shut.

“He gave me one shove which I went flying back on the concrete.”

Not deterred after hitting her head, Maureen then climbed into the back seat of the car to try and stop the car theft.

“He tried to use the remote to get the car started,” she said.

Camera Icon The man police are hunting. Credit: 7 News

“I was sort of slapping him around the face.”

Unable to start the car, the man then fled the Loftus Street home on foot and was last seen walking towards Beatty Park Leisure Centre.

The armed man is described as being aged in his mid 20s, with dark skin, a solid build and roughly 160cm tall.

He was wearing dark-coloured shorts, a dark0coloured long sleeved top with some red on it and a light grey or khaki coloured hat.

Detectives have appealed for anyone who saw the man to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report it online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au