The Beatty’s filling station and Spar shop in Fivemiletown where the motorist’s car was stolen while he was in the shop gkfh70
THE VICTIM of a car high-jacking was dragged along for 10 metres down the road early on Saturday morning as his car was stolen by opportunist criminals.
The man, who had stopped at a filling station in Fivemiletown at 6.15 am that morning, later had his car recovered by police who used a ‘stinger’ to disable its tyres.
The man, who asked not to be named, works locally, and spoke to the Herald about his ordeal. His car, was a three-year old blue Vauxhall Insignia, while it was at Beatty’s filling-station/Spar store that he pulled over.
“It was for air for a soft tyre,” he said.
“It was dark, and I left my lights running so that I could see the dial. The hose didn’t work, and I went into the shop to get the staff to turn on the air pressure. I was told it wasn’t working.
“At that, I saw a boy had entered my car. I ran over and grabbed a hold of him, but he accelerated and pulled me along for about 10 metres. I kept shouting, ‘that’s my car, you have my car’, but he kept driving and I rolled on to the road.
“That was the last I saw of my car. He headed off towards Omagh where, I understand, he was caught up with. The PSNI did a great job and I have to say I was very happy with the way they responded.”
A PSNI spokesman said a suspect made off on foot but police apprehended him. Police are linking the car hijacking with an earlier incident on Saturday morning, when a tractor and slurry tanker were stolen near Fivemiletown.
Police crews on patrol located these two vehicles.
The man continued, saying he was reconciled he will get nothing from his insurance company, and so, he expects to be out, ‘a couple of thousand pounds’.
“I haven’t seen the car yet, and I’m hoping it’s just the tyres, though I’ll possibly need four new tyres. I don’t know about the rims, and I’ll need new keys as the old ones were discarded.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere