Police are looking to locate 23-year-old Jaedon Dawson in relation to a violent bag snatch in Remuera.

An 80-year-old woman suffered a head injury in a violent bag snatch in Remuera, Auckland.

Police are trying to find 23-year-old Jaedon Dawson who they believe can assist them with their investigation.

The elderly woman was leaving the New World carpark on Clonbern Road, Remuera, at around 3.45pm on Tuesday when a man approached her and took her handbag, Detective Senior Sergeant Lloyd Schmid, of Auckland City Police said.

"During the struggle she has fallen hard to the ground and hit her head. The offender has then jumped into a car which was waiting nearby and was driven away."

Police attended the scene and with the assistance of the Eagle Helicopter, they found the vehicle involved.

Schmid said the alleged driver, a 25-year-old woman, had been arrested and was assisting police with enquiries.

Police described Dawson as being 178cm tall and of large build.

He has a number of tattoos, including the words "Respect Maori Blood", tattooed on his chest.

Schmid described the crime as "absolutely appalling" and said it targeted a vulnerable member of the community.

"It is through sheer luck that the victim is not more seriously injured, but she and her family are understandably very shaken by what has occurred.

"We are now asking for any members of our community who know where Jaedon is to please contact police immediately on 111."

Anyone with information has been urged to contact the Auckland City District Crime Squad on (09) 302-6557 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.