Councillor voices his concern after hi-jack

Alderman James Tinsley has described as ‘worrying’ a second hijacking on the Old Park Road in a matter of months.
PSNIPSNI
PSNI

Last Friday evening, a Nissan Terrano was rammed and three males were pulled from a car by occupants of a Vauxhall Corsa.

A similar incident took place in May, when a man was driving his Volkswagen Passat along the Oldpark Road close to the junction with Ivy Hill when his vehicle too was struck from behind and forced off the road by a black coloured Subaru Imprezza.

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Eye witnesses said they saw a masked person in the drivers seat and a second in the rear seat of the Subaru.

One of the men was carrying a suspected handgun. The Subaru car made off from the scene and was discovered a short time later on the Beanstown Road. The man was not injured but left shaken by the incident.

Mr Tinsley said, “This is a very worrying development, this is the second such case that I am aware of this year in the same area.

“I encourage all people to be vigilant, to keep their car doors locked and report any suspicious activities to the PSNI. I am relieved that the occupants in the car were not injured but they were left badly shaken.”

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Speaking of last week’s incident Detective Chief Inspector Andy Freeburn, said: “Police received a report shortly after 7pm that as a Nissan Terrano was being driven along the Oldpark Road, Lisburn the driver of a Vauxhall Corsa rammed the back of it.

“The three male occupants were then pulled from the car. Either three or four unknown men got out of the Vauxhall Corsa and got into the Terrano and drove off.

“The occupants of the hijacked car were not injured however they were left very badly shaken.

“I would ask anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who has any information to contact Police at Lisburn on the non-emergency number 101.

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“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Councillor Alexander Redpath said, “This is a shameful and cowardly attack. Local residents are shocked that such criminality could take place so close to our community.

“My thoughts are with the victims at this difficult and stressful time. Thankfully no one was physically injured in this attack but the psychological effects of this sort of crime are very severe. If anyone has any information I would urge them to contact the PSNI.”

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