A WOMAN has urged people to be vigilant after a youth broke into her west Belfast home and tried to steal her car.
Therese Kearney said the teenage boy, who was aged around 16 years, broke into her home on Friday night as she was putting her 10-month-old baby to bed.
Ms Kearney said when she spotted the teenager in the hall, he fled with her car keys.
However, after he was unable to start the automatic car, he escaped from the scene with another male.
Ms Kearney, who has just recently moved to the area from Co Armagh, appealed to others to keep their doors locked, even when they are at home.
"It's hard to believe teenagers or anyone would have the nerve to just walk into your house, with the lights and TV on, and attempt to rob you," she told the BBC.
"Unfortunately, we had the car and house key on a hook beside the door - which I'll never do again. I saw the keys missing and went out to the car when they'd gone.
"I could see the house keys sitting in the car but couldn't see the car keys. Then the police came and they actually found them still in the ignition.
"We're assuming they tried to drive the car away but because it's an automatic, you need to put your foot on the brake to move it - maybe they didn't realise that. I'm just relieved they didn't take it."
