Teens arrested after car halted by stinger device

A 16-YEAR-OLD driver was among a number of teenagers arrested after a car was brought to stop with a police stinger device near Omagh today.

In total, five young people were arrested on suspicion of a number of offences, including going equipped for theft.

The PSNI initially received reports that a car failed to stop in Donegal and crossed over the border into Strabane during the early hours Wednesday, January 4.

A white Toyota Aqua is reported to have failed to stop for An Garda Síochána in the Lifford Bridge area at around 12.10am, and drove off towards Strabane.

Police in Strabane observed the car heading towards Newtownstewart which failed to stop for police again.

After successful deployment of a stinger device, the vehicle subsequently stopped on Beltany Road in Omagh.

The driver, aged 16-years-old, was arrested on suspicion of driving-related offences, including aggravated vehicle taking causing damage to the vehicle, driving when unfit through drink or drug, dangerous driving, going equipped for theft, and driving without a licence.

The four teenage passengers, aged between 15 and 18-years-old, were arrested on suspicion of offences including going equipped for theft. All five teenagers remain in custody at this time.

Inspector Kyle Rowntree said, “These arrests are as a result of good work of local officers in Strabane and Tactical Support Group colleagues.

“As enquiries continue, and as we liaise with An Garda Síochána, we’re appealing to anyone who captured dash cam footage of a white Toyota Aqua, from around midnight, being driven between Lifford Bridge and Beltany Road in Omagh to call 101 and quote reference number 13 of 04/01/23.”

You can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/