He was described as a tall, skinny, male Māori with a scar near his right eye.
Later that evening a man fitting the same description was seen at the junction of Russell-Whakapara Rd and Aucks Rd, standing in the roadway with another man trying to stop passing cars.
Earlier that day an intruder entered a motel room in Russell where he took a shower, helped himself to a bag of chips and stole a set of car keys.
The blue 2006 Mazda 6 the keys belonged to is still missing.
Gorrie said he believed all incidents were connected and involved a group of up to four men.
Police were examining items recovered from the motel room, the Demio and the layby where the burnt-out Swift was found for forensic evidence.
Gorrie also wanted to hear from anyone who had seen the men trying to stop traffic at the Aucks Rd/Russell-Whakapara Rd junction, or had any other information about incidents in Russell during the weekend of July 30-31 that could be connected.
He would return any messages left for him on the police non-urgent number 105.
Information could also be passed on, anonymously, via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
