Thief steals car that was lent to in-laws

Natasha Gilmartin was asleep when the phone rang early on Sunday morning.

On the other end of the phone her distressed in-laws said her car had been stolen while they were asleep.

“They rang me about 2am, and they were very shocked and sorry to explain my car had been stolen, ” Ms Gilmartin said.

“Someone had propped open their back door and taken a few things from the house, including a handbag containing a wallet with cards and licences in it and a gold Pandora bracelet, before driving off with my car.

“My husband and I gave the car to my in-laws to borrow because there was something wrong with theirs.”

She said she was more worried the burglars had been through various rooms in the house, including the bedroom next to her in-laws.

“Of course, when I heard the car had been stolen, I just felt gutted, ” Ms Gilmartin said.

“You hear about these things happening and you don’t expect it to happen to you and then it does — I am still shocked and pretty mad.

“My in-laws feel horrible but my first thought was what would have happened if they had woken up and disturbed these people? A car can be replaced.”

Ms Gilmartin warned people to be extra vigilant.

“We have put a claim in but because the car hasn’t been recovered or claimed yet, we have to wait to see if it is recovered or if it has been trashed, ” she said.

“I’m encouraging people to lock up.”