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.

"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.

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Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty

Gerry Moriarty is the former Northern editor of The Irish Times