A Toronto Police officer examines a minivan in North York that was targeted for an attempted carjacking on Tuesday. The van was taken away by police as possible evidence. Three suspects are sought. (TOM GODFREY/QMI Agency)

TORONTO - A terrified Toronto couple was allegedly carjacked and robbed at gunpoint of about $100,000 in cash by a thief who hid in the back of their vehicle as they returned from making a withdrawal at a bank.

Toronto Police are searching for a white man about 40 years old, possibly of Russian background, who fled the scene by foot.

Police officers were called about 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday by the victims who claimed they were robbed by a man with a gun, Sgt. Orang Momeni said.

"The victims are business people and had made a substantial cash withdrawal," Momeni said. "They claimed there was a suspect with a firearm in their vehicle when they returned from the bank."

He said a female victim was ousted from the vehicle as the suspect ordered a man to drive.

"The victim suffered minor injuries," Momeni said. "He was struck by an object."

Contractor Antonio Cattuti said he saw the female victim calling for help as she ran beside the vehicle.

People should make large payments with cheque or money order rather than using cash, police said.