OPPORTUNIST thieves stole a man's car during a road rage incident at the weekend.
The 40-year-old victim had been travelling through Bishop Auckland on Friday night when he and another driver stepped out of their vehicles to exchange words.
Three members from a gang of youths nearby ran over to the man, attacked him and jumped in the light green Rover 620 and sped off.
One of the gang, described as 5ft. 3in., slim with dark hair and a thin face, struck the man in the face.
Another assailant, who was 5ft. 11in., stocky, wearing a cream zip top, stood in front of the driver preventing him from getting back into his car while the first man got behind the wheel and drove off.
The victim, a local man, had been driving on Cockton Hill Road when he and the other motorist got out of their cars at the junction to Escomb Road, near The Green Tree pub, at about 7.20pm.
The stolen car was found the following afternoon a mile away in West Lane, Woodhouse Close Estate.
Police are eager to speak to the second motorist, who was driving a maroon estate car with a woman and young child as passengers, as he could hold vital information about the attack. Witnesses should call Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566.
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