A THIEF who sped off in a stolen car glanced in the rear view mirror to see a shocked elderly couple staring at him from the back seat.

The opportunist joyrider spotted the keys had been left in the ignition as the owner leapt out to go into a shop.

He jumped behind the wheel, not realising the driver's parents, both in their early 90s , were sitting together in the back.

The incident began when the pensioners' son stopped in Barnes, Sunderland, to pop into the shop while hismum and dad waited in the car.

With the keys still in the ignition, a passing thief saw his chance and jumped inside the Citroen C5 estate, putting his foot down on the accelerator.

As he drove off his unwitting travelling companions were left wondering what was happening.

After realising he was not alone, the thief stopped the car a mile from the spot he stole it from and ran away.

It left their son in shock.

One witness, who lives near the shop, said: "He came racing out of the shop when he realised the car was being driven away but it was too late.

"He was shouting about his mum and dad being in the car and someone called the police."

Inspector Sarah Pitt, of Northumbria Police, said: "The car was driven a short distance with the couple inside.

"Neither of them were hurt and the police were contacted after the car was abandoned."

A 25-year-old man was arrested and questioned in relation to the incident but was released pending further investigations.

The thief is described as white, of stocky build, in his mid 20s and about 5ft 10ins tall.

He had a round face with a normal complexion and was wearing a white shirt and a white baseball cap.

The incident happened at about 7.35pm on Thursday, May 17, and police believe there could have been a number of people in the area at the time.

Insp Pitt added: "Motor vehicle crime in any form is completely unacceptable.

"This particular incident involved an elderly couple who had no idea what was happening to them.

"It is important we find the person who is responsible for this and are working to achieve that."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sunderland Area Command on 08456 043 043.