A PERSON who chased down a man they found in the front seat of their car was threatened with a knife.

Dorset Police are appealing for information after a number of thefts from vehicles in the Poole.

The first incident happened at around 10am on Tuesday, May 30, in Woodpecker Drive, when a man was seen sitting in the front seat of a car that had been left unlocked.

The owner went to confront the man, who ran off, but the victim followed and managed to catch up with him.

However, as the offender then threatened the vehicle owner with a knife, he was let go and ran toward Creekmoor Pond.

During the confrontation two pairs of sunglasses, which belong to the victim and had been in the vehicle, fell from the offender.

The incident was reported to police and officers attended, but were unable to locate the offender.

Around an hour later in Tarn Drive, a man was seen getting into the driver’s seat of a car and searching through it before getting out and walking away with items in his hand.

The member of the public who observed the offender informed the owner of the vehicle of what happened and police were called. It was confirmed a pair of green and black Oakley sunglasses and a purse were missing from the car.

The offender has been described as white, in his mid to late 20s and with short dark brown hair. He has a tattoo on the back of his neck and was wearing dark shorts and no top.

PC Jasmin Giles, of Poole police, said: “Our investigations are ongoing and we are making a number of enquiries, including CCTV searches.

“I am appealing for any further witnesses to either incident or anyone who saw the man described in the area at the relevant time to please come forward.

“Also, I would encourage any residents, who have home CCTV or doorbell cameras, or any motorists with dashcam fitted to their vehicle who were driving in the vicinity to please check for any relevant footage.”

Anyone with information should contact Dorset Police via www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident numbers 55230082805 or 55230082865. They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.