Northern Ireland

Car hijacking in Co Tyrone a 'distressing and traumatic ordeal'

Police appealed for information
Police appealed for information Police appealed for information

Police are appealing for information after a driver had his car stolen in a hijacking in the Castlederg area this morning and had to receive treatment for facial injuries.

Just before 6am, a road traffic collision was reported on Ballynaloan Road involving a Kia Sportage and a silver-coloured BMW.

Two men from the silver-coloured BMW got out of the vehicle and assaulted the Kia driver before taking his car.

The victim was treated at the scene by the Ambulance Service for facial injuries. The silver BMW was set on fire.

At around 6.45am, police located a car on fire close to the junction of Mullagh road and Drumlegagh Road in Castlederg. It is believed this may be the Kia that was stolen. 



Detective Sergeant Ballentine said: "This was a distressing and traumatic ordeal for the victim, who was not only subjected to an assault, but who also had his car stolen. Our enquiries are ongoing and, while we have made a number of enquiries, I want to make a number of specific appeals. 



"Do you have dashcam, or other footage, of the silver BMW just prior to the collision at 6am? Did you see the Kia that was reported stolen, being driven between Magheralough Road and Drumlegagh Road between 6am and 6.45am? Did you see anything suspicious in these areas, including any vehicles being driven in a suspicious manner? If you have information which may assist us, call 101, and quote reference number 182 of 27/10/22."