Newlyweds’ stolen car involved in police chase on the Eyre Peninsula

These newlyweds were on their dream US honeymoon — until it was spiked by a car chase between Port Augusta and Whyalla.

Dylan and Tayler Thomas are honeymooning in US.

NEWLYWEDS who were honeymooning overseas when their new car was stolen from their Seaton home say they are too distraught to think about whether they will keep the vehicle after it was involved in a police pursuit on the Eyre Peninsula.

A teenage boy has been arrested after allegedly leading police on a chase from Port Augusta to Whyalla and back again in Dylan and Tayler Thomas’ stolen car.

A police patrol saw the youth refuelling a grey Mazda sedan at a Port Augusta petrol station just before 2am on Wednesday.

Dylan and Tayler Thomas are honeymooning in the US. Picture: Supplied.

Checks revealed the car had been stolen from Mr and Mrs Thomas’ Seaton home on Monday.

When the boy saw the police car, he jumped into the Mazda and took off without paying for the fuel.

The officers chased the youth, who drove towards Whyalla, and after about 30 minutes, just before reaching the town, he did a U-turn and headed back towards Port Augusta.

Patrols set up road spikes and punctured two tyres, bringing the car to a stop before the teen ran from the scene.

The 17-year-old Seaton boy was found nearby, arrested and charged with illegal use of a motor vehicle, engaging in a police pursuit, theft and driving while disqualified.

Mr and Mrs Thomas were in the US on their honeymoon when their home was broken into and their car was stolen while their housesitters were asleep inside the property.

“To think this would be the happiest time of our lives enjoying such an amazing honeymoon in the US and now all we can think about is ‘is this guy going to come back for more?’ (and) ‘has he hurt someone else through all of these police chases?’,” Mrs Thomas, 23, told The Advertiser after the arrest.

“It’s like (the suspect) knew our house, knew us and knew we were away so we were then an easy target.

“We saved for so many years, dreaming of owning our own home and buying a brand-new car, and almost as soon as we get there, our home isn’t safe and our car has been taken right from us.”

Mrs Thomas said she and her husband, 24, bought the car in October last year but were unsure if they would keep the vehicle or sell it after the ordeal.

“We can’t even comprehend looking at it at the moment,” she said.

“Knowing the person who raided our house and has made us feel like this has been using it and in the car for two days probably ruined the engine, (the) tyres are all spiked and who knows what else.

“We don’t even want to think about it now.”

The charged boy was refused police bail and will appear in the Port Augusta Youth Court on Wednesday.

No one was injured in the incident.