Thieves steal sports car with boy, 5, still in the back after crash as mother argues about who was to blame for the collision

  • Vehicle later found abandoned with boy still in the back
  • Police believe criminals were trying to steal Mitsubishi Lancer Evo – but did not realise boy was inside

By
Rob Cooper

Last updated at 10:42 PM on 17th February 2012

A mother today told how thieves rammed her sports car from behind and stole it with her five-year-old boy still inside.

The woman, 24, got out of her silver Mitsubishi Lancer Evo when it was hit from behind by a silver BMW M3 containing two men.

As she argued about who was responsible for the collision one of the man jumped in her vehicle and drove off in Waterlooville, Hampshire, yesterday.

Sports car: The mother, 24, was driving a Mitsubishi Evo Lancer when she was rammed from behind and had her car stolen (file picture)

Sports car: The mother, 24, was driving a Mitsubishi Evo Lancer when she was rammed from behind and had her car stolen (file picture)

The second man drove off in the same direction in the BMW.

She later discovered the vehicle abandoned outside a school just a mile up the road with her son still sat in the back.

A passing motorist picked her up and helped her search for the stolen car.

The mother, from Waterlooville, who did not wish to be identified, said: ‘When I approached the car I could see he was visibly shaken and he (my son) reached out for me. He was clearly upset.’

The mother and child had visited a
local Asda supermarket and were on their way home when the BMW collided
with the rear of their car.

She continued: ‘As I imagine anyone
would do, I got out of the car to speak to the other driver. It never
crossed my mind that while I was doing this my car would be driven away.

‘When this happened my first thought was for my son who was still in the vehicle. I panicked and tried to get help.

‘It was an amazingly traumatic incident. Thankfully another driver stopped to help me and I’m so grateful for that.

‘The relief of finding that the car had been abandoned with my son inside was indescribable.

‘I really hope police can now find those responsible.’

The boy was not injured.

Witnesses say they saw two men leave
the Mitsubishi outside the school and drive away in a BMW, hitting a
white Mercedes van before fleeing.

Police are not treating the incident
as an attempted kidnapping. Instead, they believe the ‘organised
criminals’ were trying to steal the 54-reg car which costs £35,000 new.

Rammed: The two thieves were driving a silver BMW M3 when they fled with the mother's vehicle

Rammed: The two thieves were driving a silver BMW M3 when they fled with the mother’s vehicle

No items were reported stolen from the Mitsubishi.

One witness gave the partial registration number of the BMW as HY57. The car is believed to have damage to its front.

Senior investigating officer
Detective Inspector Christopher Parry said: ‘The evidence we have so far
strongly indicates these men had no deliberate intention of abducting a
child.

‘This crime is being treated as an isolated case.

‘Our investigation is focused on the motive of stealing a valuable performance car, not abducting a child.’

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman added: ‘Thankfully, the boy was not harmed or injured.

‘His 24-year-old mother was not assaulted or injured either but is extremely upset and shaken by what happened.

‘Officers are in contact with the woman, her child and family to provide care and support.

‘We wish to thank members of the public and witnesses who offered help to the woman immediately after her car was stolen.

‘Police believe this was the targeted
theft of a high-powered car by an organised pair of criminals who did
not realise there was a child sat in the back of the vehicle.

‘Officers are pursuing several lines
of enquiry to track and identify the suspects and their car, which was
described as a high-performance silver BMW M3 with four exhausts and two
doors.’

The Mitsubishi was recovered by
police and is being examined for possible forensic evidence by
specialist scenes-of-crime officers.

Both suspects were described as white, aged in their early 20s, around 5ft 6in tall with short dark hair.

The first suspect was wearing a light
coloured top and dark trousers and the second was of medium build
wearing a dark hooded top and dark bottoms.

Here’s what other readers have said. Why not add your thoughts,
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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

How terrifying. Thank goodness the little boy was found safe. I’m sure he was already shaken up enough having just been crashed into never mind being driven away from his mummy by a complete stranger. There are some real pieces of low life scum out there.

That is a bit too close to home for my liking, I prefer my news farther away. Glad the little boy is ok.

It should be automatic that, when leaving their vehicle, even for very short periods, drivers switch off the engine and take the keys with them.
There are too many thieves and nutters out there, not to mention the possibility of an accident due to children moving about in the car.

I wouldn’t put any faith in the police on this one love

“Sportscar” with four seats ‘n four doors? Paaaleeeze.

Welcome to Broken Britain.
I used to be proud of my heritage now i couldn”t care less as neither could the goverment

It is now standard for cars to ram a car in front especially if it has a women in it because the law prevents from driving away after an accident and requires to get out of the car and exchange details.
It is the same technique as someone turning up at your door and claiming as they did the other that my wife’s husband (me who was in the house) had given them permission to cut trees and pretended they could not hear my wife expecting her to open the door.
We need the law changed but then we get “hit and run” now legal if we change it.
If I were a woman I would lock the doors get out the Mobile and ring the Police … I would not get out of the car and leave a Baby in it.

That is the wrong m3. The e46 ( pictured ) ceased production in 56. Assuming it was on genuine plates the m3 in question would be an e92.

‘Our investigation is focused on the motive of stealing a valuable performance car, not abducting a child.’
Is it just me who thinks that the priorities are wrong here, find these criminals and charge them with abduction which might have a greater penalty than a slapped wrist for car stealing

Got a bit more than they bargained for then… Glad the boy was ok.

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