Police have arrested a man over the theft of the car after a couple took a Subaru for a test drive with the car owner’s son in the back two weeks ago.
The blue 1998 Subaru WRX was stolen on Monday 30 September, when a man and woman attended a Hope Valley home after the car was advertised for sale.
The couple after a speaking the owner of the car, took the Subaru for test drive with the female suspect driving, the male suspect in the front passenger seat and the owner and his 5-year-old son in the rear of the car.
After a short test drive they returned to the owner’s home, but asked if they could swap drivers. The male suspect got in the driver’s seat the female suspect then got into the back seat with the 5-year-old boy, but while the owner was making his way around to the front passenger’s seat, the male suspect driving took off in the car.
The car owner immediately called police and at the same time got in another car to pursue the stolen Subaru containing his son.
The car owner had travelled just 200-300 metres, when he spotted his son standing on the side of the road unharmed.
The car was located at 1.30pm on Tuesday 8 October on Stebonheath Road, Smithfield Plains and had been spray painted black.
A 35-year-old man from Campbelltown was arrested and charged with unlawful possession. He was bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court on 13 November.
About 9.30am on Sunday 13 October, Eastern District Detectives attended a Para Vista home and arrested a 32-year-old man from no fixed address. He was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft and making off without payment of fuel. He was charged with further offences unrelated to this matter. He was refused bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court later today.
The driver of the stolen vehicle is still outstanding and police are asking anyone with further information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
