Teenagers who found girl, 5, sleeping in abandoned stolen car are arrested THEMSELVES when they call police



Two teenagers who spotted a five-year-old girl sleeping in a stolen car have told how they were arrested for 'doing the right thing' when they called police.



Tyler Thompson and Connor Roderick were held in custody for four hours and had their DNA and fingerprints taken.

Their clothes were also kept by police following the incident in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Good turn: But friends Connor Roderick, left and Tyler Thompson were held in a cell for four hours

Now Tyler,16, and 18-year-old Connor plan to submit a complaint to the authorities about their treatment.

The teenagers were on their way to a shop to buy milk at about 10.15pm nine days ago when they found the abandoned red Skoda Fabia with its engine running.

It had been stolen from outside the Royal Chef Chinese takeaway in nearby Manor Road.

The driver had left his keys in the ignition while he went in to place an order and three youths were spotted driving the car away shortly after 10pm.

The friends recognised the car and while Connor ran to find the owner, Tyler spotted the young girl on the back seat and guarded the vehicle.

Connor then brought the police and the girl's father to the car. But to the teenagers' horror, they then found themselves under arrest.

Takeaway: The Skoda was taken by joyriders from outside the Chinese restaurant in St Helen Auckland, County Durham

'We couldn't believe what was happening,' said Tyler. 'We hadn't done anything wrong. We thought we were doing the right thing but the police just didn't believe us. We were gutted.

'If we had left that car, I never would have been able to forgive myself if something had happened to that girl.'

Both were held until 3am when they were released without charge.

Tyler, who has taken part in police projects as a member of Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans' drama group, added: 'We were kept in a cell for doing something good. We felt like criminals.'

The best friends, who have never been in trouble with the police, said they would now think twice before doing a good turn.

'We have had strangers coming up in the street asking us why we did it,' said Connor. 'Everyone in the village has been talking about it. It has been horrible.'

A Durham Police spokesman said: 'Police arrested a man and a youth at the scene as they matched a description given to police. They were later released without charge.

'The suspects were dealt with as quickly as procedures allow while ensuring that the matter was thoroughly investigated.