Stinger deployed and firearm drawn as police attempt to stop ‘dangerous’ car

By Bairbre Holmes, Press Association

A stinger was deployed, and an officer drew his weapon in an attempt to stop a suspect vehicle in Co Derry, which was later found abandoned over the border following a chase, the PSNI has said.

Police say the black Mercedes 300 is suspected of being involved in several crashes in Derry in the last few months.

In a statement, local policing Inspector Hewat said it was spotted on Buncrana Road at around 12.30 pm on Saturday before the “driver made off toward the city at dangerous speeds and with a deflated rear tyre”.

A chase followed and, as the police attempted to force the car to stop, it “collided with an uninvolved member of the public’s vehicle, causing damage but, thankfully, no reported injury”.

In an attempt to stop the “dangerous” vehicle, a stinger device was deployed in the Creggan area.

Hewat continued: “Fearing for his own safety, one officer drew his weapon, but the driver of the Mercedes swerved and made off, narrowly avoiding another member of the public’s vehicle as he did so.”

The car was found abandoned “just over the border minutes later”.

“It is only by sheer luck that this vehicle was not involved in a more serious collision,” he added.

The PSNI is liaising with An Garda Síochána in the search for the driver and they are carrying out forensic tests of the car.

Mr Hewat said: “As is standard procedure when a police firearm is drawn, the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland has been informed and their inquiries are ongoing.”

Police are appealing for anyone with information or relevant footage to contact them.