An elderly woman who gave two strangers a drink of water and a lift in her car on a hot Queensland afternoon has been left “shocked” after they went on to steal her car in Townsville.

Police found the 80-year-old woman with minor injuries wandering Love Lane in the suburb of Rosslea about 2pm today.

“She was described to us [as] in shock and in a bit of a daze,” Senior Sergeant District Duty Officer Scot Warrick said.

Detectives allege an hour earlier, two young women knocked on the door of her Hermit Park home and asked for a drink of water.

The elderly woman then agreed to drive the pair to a location in Rosslea.

Senior Sergeant Warwick said the initial discussion was “cooperative” and “non-violent”.

“She’s pulled over, asked them to leave the vehicle, they’ve become violent, they’ve stolen the keys from her, and they have pushed her from the vehicle.”

Paramedics assessed the woman at the scene but she did not require further treatment.

Taking advantage of strangers’ ‘kindness’ 

Senior Sergeant Warwick said the community would be outraged by the “absolutely atrocious” behaviour.

“To take advantage of that kindness of such an elderly member of the community, I’m just lost for words, I don’t know how to describe that,” he said.

“She’s now ended up suffering quite severe stress and shock.”

Police are still searching for the stolen car and the offenders, who are believed to be of First Nations descent and aged in their late teens or early 20s.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact police.