Man Arrested in Dundalk After Car Stolen with Woman Inside in Belfast
Ardee News and Sport — A man who stole a car from South Belfast with a woman still inside has been arrested by Gardaí in Dundalk, Co. Louth. The incident unfolded early yesterday morning, and while the woman involved was left uninjured, she was understandably shaken by the ordeal.
The 25-year-old suspect was apprehended after Gardaí seized the stolen vehicle in Dundalk following a coordinated effort with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The vehicle had been reported stolen on Saturday, 28th September, in the Botanic Avenue area of Belfast, with the female passenger still in the car at the time.
PSNI Detective Sergeant McVeagh described the harrowing event, explaining: “The car was later brought to a stop on the Saintfield Road in Lisburn, where the woman managed to escape unharmed.” Following her escape, the car was spotted travelling at dangerous speeds, exceeding 160km/h, as it approached the A1 route towards the border.
Upon receiving notification from the PSNI, An Garda Síochána acted swiftly, locating and intercepting the stolen vehicle around 2:20 am in Dundalk, where the suspect was taken into custody.
Detective Sergeant McVeagh added: “Thankfully, we are not dealing with any casualties after some very dangerous and reckless behaviour by the suspect involved.”
The man is currently detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, at a Garda station in County Louth, where investigations are ongoing. The stolen vehicle has been seized for technical examination as part of the inquiry.
The woman, though physically unharmed, was understandably left shaken by her ordeal. Further details regarding the suspect and the ongoing investigation are expected to emerge in the coming days.