A man was arrested after allegedly stealing a car from Port Pirie and being found by police in a paddock at Redhill yesterday afternoon.
About 1.30pm on Sunday 24 February, a silver Subaru Forester station wagon was stolen from a Port Pirie shopping centre car park. The owner had left his dog in the car with the engine and airconditioner running while he popped into the supermarket.
Police spotted the stolen car heading south on the Augusta Highway at about 170 km/h just after 2pm. The vehicle did not stop for police and was pursued for a short distance before it turned into a nearby farming property nine kilometres north of Redhill.
Police deployed extra resources to the farm to conduct a search, with the assistance of the land owner.
A 45-year-old Surrey Downs man was arrested and charged with illegal use, exceed speed, fail to stop, unlawfully on premises and drive disqualified. He was also charged with drink driving after recording a blood alcohol reading of 0.084. He was refused police bail and appeared in the Port Pirie Magistrates Court today.
The vehicle was examined by crime scene officers and returned to the victim. Thankfully, the owner of the car was also reunited with his dog.
Police remind the public to never leave their vehicles unlocked or with the keys in the ignition, even if it is only for a few moments.
