A thief snatched an armful of sweatshirts and polo shirts from a sports shop before escaping in a stolen car.

The man ran out of Giles Sports Shop in Alvescot Road, Carterton, shortly before 2.30pm on Tuesday with Adidas, Reebok and Nike garments. He jumped into a red Ford Fiesta, registration H477 RWP, and headed off towards Faringdon.

The car, which had been stolen two weeks earlier in Thame, was later found abandoned in Milecross Road and is now being examined by police forensic experts.

Tags from the stolen clothing had been left in the vehicle but there was no sign of the garments.

Police are appealing for help in tracing the man, who spoke with a foreign accent and was described as white, around 5ft 4in tall and of slim build.

He was in his mid-30s, had short dark brown hair and a long jaw and was wearing distinctive silver wrap-around sunglasses at the time.

Anyone who can help police should call 01235 776409.

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