Man arrested after car hijacking in west Belfast

Woman escaped from vehicle as suspect drove off from filling station at Finaghy Road North

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including hijacking, driving whilst disqualified and breach of bail. Photograph: Paul McErlane/EPA
A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including hijacking, driving whilst disqualified and breach of bail. Photograph: Paul McErlane/EPA

A 37-year-old man was arrested by the PSNI after a hijacking incident in west Belfast on Saturday evening.

The incident happened at a filling station at Finaghy Road North around after a young couple parked their Vauxhall Corsa outside shops in the forecourt of the station.

The male driver had left the car and gone into a fast food outlet leaving a female passenger inside the vehicle, explained PSNI Sgt O’Flaherty.

“At this point a male got into the driver’s seat of the car and drove off. The female passenger exited the vehicle as it pulled away and was thankfully not hurt as a result,” he said.

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"The car was then driven across west Belfast ending at Whiterock Close where the car was involved in a collision. Members of the public detained the male driver until police arrived at the scene a short time later," added Sgt O'Flaherty.

A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including hijacking, driving whilst disqualified and breach of bail. He is currently in custody assisting with police enquiries.

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times