Woman jogger takes couple's car | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

For an elderly Masterton couple, last Friday was a fine day for a stroll on the Napier seafront.

For Hawke's Bay Today delivery driver Len Sellars, it was a chance for a quick snack break.

But for a young woman jogger, it was a brazen opportunity to steal the old couple's car which was parked next to Mr Sellars' van.

The couple, aged in their 70s, and Mr Sellars were left stunned at what happened.

"It looked like she had been jogging," Mr Sellars said.

"She came over from the walkway, hopped in the car, got it started pretty quick and just drove off."

Mr Sellars said he assumed the car belonged to her and she had returned to it from a run.

The car heist happened about 2.30pm at the carpark between the Port of Napier and Ocean Spa, opposite Coote Rd.

Mr Sellars had pulled in beside the silver Mazda Demio car for a break between deliveries.

After a few minutes he noticed a woman who had been jogging along the walkway veer off the path and head toward the car, which had one window open, and climb in.

"I didn't take much notice. She just got in and got it started and drove off. Nothing seemed wrong."

About 10 minutes later an elderly couple approached Mr Sellars and asked if he had seen a silver Mazda parked there. He said he had, and that a woman had driven away in it.

"That was our car," the elderly man said.

"They were pretty distressed. They were here on holiday."

Mr Sellars rang the police and gave the details of the car and what had happened.

The couple made their way back to their nearby motel, while Mr Sellars did a "drive around" hoping to spot the car, but without success.

"I really felt for them."

He described the woman as about 20, with dark hair and a slightly copper complexion. She was wearing leotard-type tights with a dress over the top.

The car, registration FJD431, has not been recovered.