Driver has car stolen after getting out to move lawn mower off road

By Q Radio News

A driver has been left badly shaken after his car was stolen when he stopped to move a lawn mower from a road in Portadown. 

Another man jumped in and sped off when he got out of the vehicle on Eden Avenue at around 6am yesterday morning. 

The car was later recovered in Lisburn and a 39-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a number of offences. 

A PSNI spokesperson said it was reported just before 6am yesterday that as a male driver got out of his car on Eden Avenue to move a lawn mower from the road, a male got into his car and drove off.

"Enquiries resulted in the vehicle being located in Lisburn. Further enquiries resulted in the arrest of a 39-year-old man on suspicion of offences, including theft and taking a motor vehicle without authority, and he remains in custody, at this time, assisting with enquiries," they added.  

Chief Inspector Barney O'Connor said: "This was a frightening and shocking ordeal for the victim who was going about his business when the incident occurred. 

"Our enquiries are ongoing, and we would encourage anyone who may have been in the area and witnessed what happened to contact us.

"The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 378 of 29/05/21."