DETECTIVES believe they are moving closer to catching a car thief who terrified a pensioner as she waited for her husband in a town centre car park.

The masked man struck as the 75-year-old woman was sitting in the couple's R-registered BMW in the Beaumont Street car park, Darlington, at 5pm on Monday, March 26.

Hearing the driver's door open, she turned, expecting to see her husband, but was instead confronted by the balaclava-clad man, who told her: "Get out. I won't hurt you."

A few days later, officers spotted the car and, following a chase in Darlington, the stolen vehicle was abandoned and recovered by police.

Detective Sergeant Alec Francis, of Darlington police, said there were a number of positive lines of inquiry.

He said: "The car has been recovered and we are following positive lines of inquiry. We are confident of a positive outcome."

Anybody who has any information is asked to contact Darlington police, on (01325) 467681, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.