Dramatic footage has emerged of a woman crashing into several parked cars and fleeing the scene moments after she allegedly swerved at police officers in Sydney's east.

Officers attended a unit block on Clovelly Road in Coogee shortly before 10pm on Saturday night to speak with Kailee Murphy, 32, who was wanted on multiple arrest warrants.

Police allege that Murphy got into a Holden SUV and swerved towards officers as they tried to block off the road, before she sped off.

Moments later, CCTV from a nearby petrol station captured a loud bang when Murphy allegedly crashed into three parked cars.

Car alarms were heard blaring as Murphy sprinted away from the pile-up, past shocked bystanders.

Several cars were damaged during the alleged rampage, which rattled locals in the beachside suburb. 

'There was smoke everywhere and police. I'd say 20 police cars,' Emma Brosnan told Nine News.

Another woman added: 'I heard the loudest crash I've ever heard in my life and then immediately after, five sirens came.'

Police had earlier attended Murphy's apartment in nearby Randwick but were unable to locate her before tracking her at the Coogee unit complex. 

'They had to take evasive action as she sped off,' Inspector Chris Louis told reporters.

'We deem that very serious.'

The crash sparked a massive search for Murphy involving police dogs, as detectives spent the night door-knocking residents.

Murphy remained on the run until Sunday afternoon, when police spotted her in a public phone box in nearby Matraville.

'A brief foot pursuit followed from a phone box in that area and she was apprehended,' Insp Louis said.

Murphy was already wanted on several warrants connected to alleged break and enter offences as well as theft charges. 

'One of the warrants is for breach of parole as well, so that's going back to prison,' Insp Louis said. 

Murphy went to Prince of Wales Hospital for assessment before she was taken into custody.

She was later charged with entering enclosed land without lawful excuse, use offensive weapon to prevent lawful detention and not give particulars to owner of damaged property.

She was also charged by virtue of two outstanding warrants.

Murphy was refused bail to appear in the Bail Division Local Court on Monday.