‘Suspicious male’ throws screwdriver after being caught rummaging inside parked car

The 24-year-old spat in a police officer’s face and on another’s arm when they tried to detain him

Police have made an arrest after a “suspicious male” was caught tampering with vehicle and property doors in Co Derry.

At around 11.50pm on Friday night, September 4, police received a number of reports regarding a man trying to gain access to car and house doors in the Clon Elagh area.

When they attended the scene, police found a man rummaging inside a vehicle parked outside a property. The man, aged 24, then threw a screwdriver to the ground.

He proceeded to spit in a police officer’s face and on another officer’s arm when they tried to detain him. The man was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences.

Superintendent McIldowney said: “We received a number of reports at around 11.50pm on Friday night, 4th September, of a suspicious male attempting to gain access to car and house doors in the Clon Elagh area.

“Officers attended the scene, where a man was located rummaging inside a vehicle parked outside a property.

“The man, aged 24 years old, was subsequently seen throwing a screwdriver to the ground. He then proceeded to spit in an officer’s face and on another officer’s arm when they tried to detain him.

“The screwdriver was seized and the man was arrested on suspicion of going equipped for theft, tampering with a motor vehicle and two counts of assault on police.

“He was further arrested for attempted criminal damage and criminal damage, after kicking the rear of the police vehicle while being transported to custody and also spitting inside the vehicle.

“He remains in police custody at this time.

“We’re aware of recent concerns within the local community about similar attempts to access vehicles and houses in the area, so this arrest is a further great result from our District Support Team in tackling this issue.

“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with information can contact police on the 101 number, quoting reference 1829 of 04/09/26.

“You can also submit a report online using our non-emergency reporting form at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

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