A fleeing Canterbury kidnapper who was tracked down by police has been jailed for more than three years.

Repeat offender, Michael Mamea, 31, hijacked a car with a man sleeping inside in September last year, Court News reports.

Mamea got the man to move into the passenger seat and drove off to a Waltham address.

After parking in a driveway, Mamea told the man he was a gang member and he would remain safe as long he stayed in the car.

He went into the house at the address and returned with two other men. They then went to a service station and stole $40 from the man to pay for petrol.

Mamea, drove off after the man got out and raised the alarm with service station staff, Court News reports.

He was spotted by police and failed to stopped for the officer who then pursued him for five minutes.

He lost control of the vehicle after police laid road spikes and eventually caught him after he fled on foot.

Mamea must serve his full three year and two month jail term without parole or early release under the three-strikes system, which has heavier penalties for repeat offenders.

He has also been disqualified from driving for nine months.

Newshub.