37-year-old man arrested following hijacking at garage forecourt in west Belfast

By Q Radio News

A 37-year-old man has been arrested following a hijacking at a garage forecourt in west Belfast.

The driver had got out to get food when the suspect jumped in and drove off on Finaghy Road North at around 7.30pm last night. 

A young female passenger who was in the car at the time managed to get out as the car pulled out of the filling station. 

The Vauxhall Corsa later crashed on Whiterock Close before the suspect was apprehended by members of the public before police arrived. 

Detective Sergeant O’Flaherty said: “The incident occurred at around 7.30pm on Saturday evening, after a young couple had parked their blue Vauxhall Corsa car outside shops in the forecourt of a filling station in the area.

"The male driver had left the car and gone into a fast food outlet leaving a female passenger inside the car.

"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.

"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.

"A 37 year old man has been 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.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed the hijacking incident or the car being driven between Finaghy Road North and the Whiterock Road to contact detectives at Musgrave on 101 quoting reference number 1643 13/06/20."