Stolen car hits vehicle before being used to rob post office van in 'shocking' spate of Derry criminality

A car stolen from outside a home in the Galliagh area shortly before 9 a.m. on Thursday collided with another vehicle on the Buncrana Road before being used in the robbery of a postal van in Creggan.

Foyle MLA Karen Mullan described the incident as 'shocking'.

"This is shocking for everyone caught up in these incidents this morning.

"My thoughts are with the post office worker and the car owners caught up in this serious criminality," she said.

Detectives at Strand Road are appealing for information following the incidents which they believe are linked.

According to the PSNI it was reported that two men stole a Silver Fiesta from outside a house in the Clon Elagh area shortly before 8.45am.

A PSNI spokesperson stated: "A few minutes after it was stolen it was reported this car collided with another vehicle on Buncrana Road before making off.

"It is then believed that around 9.25am two men driving a silver Fiesta approached the driver of the postal van in the Bligh's Lane area and threatened him before removing parcels and making off towards the Bogside.

"The Silver Fiesta was the subsequently abandoned at Miller Street where an attempt was made to set it on fire. A man has since been arrested in connection with these incidents and is currently in custody."

Ms. Mullan said 'there is no place for this type of criminality' in our city.

She said she was hoped there would be no disruption to postal officers as a result of the incidents and she asked anyone with information to come forward to the police.

The PSNI said: "Enquiries into all incident are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the non-emergency number 101 or in the case of an emergency call 999. Alternatively, a report can also be made using the online reporting form via www.psni.police.uk/makeareport. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org."