Woman dragged from her car during hijacking in Co Down

Members of the public restrained the two suspects after the attack at a car park exit

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have footage of the incident on their mobile phone or dashcam to come forward.
Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have footage of the incident on their mobile phone or dashcam to come forward.

A woman has been dragged from her car during a hijacking in Co Down.

She was pulled from the vehicle while trying to leave a car park in Banbridge at about 5.40pm on Wednesday.

A short time later, members of the public detained two suspects after the stolen car allegedly collided with a number of other vehicles.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Sgt Patrick Dougan said: “A woman was attempting to exit a car park in Church Square at around 5.40pm when two men approached her silver Toyota Corolla.

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“One of the men told her to get out of the car before grabbing the keys from the ignition.

“The woman was then pulled from the vehicle and the pair got in, making off in the direction of the town centre.”

Two men who were arrested on suspicion of hijacking and a range of driving offences remain in police custody.

DUP MLA Carla Lockhart said: “This is a particularly frightening and horrific ordeal.

“I would commend the PSNI for their response but the members of the public who intervened deserve our thanks for the detention and subsequent arrest of two suspects.”

Police have appealed for witnesses or anyone who may have footage of the incident on their mobile phone or dashcam to come forward.–PA