Appeal For Information On Hijacking Incidents In Co Tyrone

The PSNI have issued an appeal for information on a hijacking and a number of attempted hijackings in Magheramason, County Tyrone.

Issuing the appeal, Detective Sergeant Connolly said: "We received a report just before 10:55pm on Monday 12 July that the female driver of a white Peugeot had her car hijacked as she drove along Victoria Road. It was reported she stopped when she came across a white Vauxhall Insignia that was stationary and that a man was standing to the side of the vehicle. It was reported this male approached her car and shouted at the woman, who is aged in her fifties, to get out before he reached into the vehicle and tried to undo her seatbelt. The woman pleaded with the man that she needed time to get her passenger, a woman aged in her eighties, out of the car safely. When both the woman and passenger were out of the vehicle, the suspect drove off in it.

"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."

Police said that they believe the man involved in this incident is the same man involved in a number of attempted hijackings on the same night. He is described as being around 6' tall, of a skinny build with dark hair and wore dark-coloured clothing.

Detective Sergeant Connolly continued: "(It) was also reported the female driver of a white Polo stopped on Victoria Road when she saw a white Vauxhall Insignia and a white Peugeot on the road. The suspect is reported to have approached the Polo and tried the door handle, attempting to open the door. The driver of the Polo managed to get away. At the same time, the female driver of a Volkswagen Tiguan came on the scene. It was reported the suspect stepped in front of her vehicle to stop it, but she was able to drive away.

"We believe, at this time, the Peugeot that was hijacked was later involved in a collision in Ferguson Street in Derry/Londonderry, at around 11:05pm, and that the same car was reported as being on fire on Temple Road in Strathfoyle at 4:25am, 13th July. It was also reported a male tried to hijack another car in the area at this time, but that the female driver managed to get away safely.

"All of these incidents were distressing for those involved, and we are thankful no one suffered any physical injuries.

"As our enquiries continue, we are working to establish how the Vauxhall Insignia came to be at the scene and if it had been hijacked.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have captured the movements of both the white Vauxhall Insignia and the white Peugeot 2008 from 10:30pm onwards. We are also asking anyone who has information about any of these incidents to call our detectives at Strand Road on 101, quoting reference 2585 of 12/07/212."