A MAN has been arrested after a test drive at a car dealership took a criminal turn.
The arrest was made in connection with an incident at Halesowen Autos in Cross Street on October 31 when, during a test drive and while the dealer was distracted, the offender drove off in the BMW.
A similar incident saw a blue BMW stolen from Hasbury Motors in Stourbridge Road on October 1, the grey BMW is yet to be recovered.
Darren Edmunds, co-owner of Halesowen Autos, described how the thief came in for a test drive.
Mr Edmunds added: “I went round the block with him. Then he asked to see under the bonnet and I turned my back for a minute and he was gone."
Mr Edmunds said his insurance company would not pay out because the keys were in the ignition but fortunately the vehicle, worth £8,500, was recovered by police a few days later.
West Midlands Police said: “Detectives are investigating two car thefts from garages in Halesowen.
“The first incident occurred on 1 October at a garage in Stourbridge Road, Halesowen. A grey BMW was stolen during a test drive.
“The second incident occurred on 31 October from a garage on Cross Street in Halesowen. A blue BMW was stolen during a test drive.
“A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle in connection with the second offence and has been released pending further investigation.
“Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information can contact us via Live Chat at west-midlands.police.uk between 8am to midnight, call 101 anytime or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“Please quote crime reference number 20DY/252274J/18 or 20DY/225567C/18.”
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