Northern Ireland

Woman in her eighties forced from vehicle in 'terrifying ' Co Tyrone carjacking

Police are investigating a car theft in Co Tyrone that followed two attempted thefts believed to involve the same man.
Police are investigating a car theft in Co Tyrone that followed two attempted thefts believed to involve the same man.

POLICE are appealing for information after a driver in her fifties and a passenger in her eighties were forced from their vehicle during a carjacking in Co Tyrone.

The incident in Magheramason followed two attempted car thefts targeting female drivers in the area which police believe were carried out by the same man.

The incident in which a car was stolen occurred shortly before 10.55pm on Monday in the Victoria Road area when a woman and her passenger stopped their white Peugeot after coming across a white Vauxhall Insignia at the side of the road, and a man beside it.

The man shouted for the driver to get out while attempting to undo her seatbelt.

Police say the driver pleaded for time to help her elderly passenger out safely, before the suspect drove off in her car.

It was later found on fire at Temple Road in Strathfoyle at 4:25am on Tuesday. Another attempted car theft was also reported there around that time.

A PSNI spokesman said: "This was a frightening ordeal for these two women, in particular for the older woman. While they weren't physically injured, they have both been left badly shaken by this terrifying incident."