The owners of a van swiped from a popular Front Street bar were left bemused yesterday after it was spotted around the island during an eight-hour joyride.

Reed Young, the owner of Docksider on Front Street, said the company vehicle was tough to miss.

Mr Young turned to the sleuths of Facebook after the van was stolen just after 6am from behind the bar.

The Docksider got tips on its whereabouts throughout the day from sharp-eyed members of the public.

He said: “It showed up in St David’s around 8.30am. Then I got three phone calls about the van gallivanting around town.”

The van was even spotted on Pitts Bay Road, where Mr Young lives.

He added: “I was hoping it might get returned to my house.”

Instead, the van was spotted at Lindo’s supermarket in Devonshire.

A sighting followed at Terceira’s Gas Station on North Shore in Smith’s, where the driver “took off for the East End” after being confronted.

Alcohol was not a likely motive. Mr Young said the driver was picked up on Terceira’s security cameras buying two six-packs.

He also bought $30 of gas for the van – which was found near Ferry Reach Park in St George’s at about 2.30pm, according to police.

Mr Young said the gas in the tank came as a surprise – but he would welcome the return of the keys.

He added: “It’s serious, but in a way it’s really comical.

“Nobody recognised him, and I don’t think it’s damaged, but I’ve got to get it towed now I don’t have keys.”

A police spokesman asked witnesses, or anyone with information about the culprit, to contact Southside Police Station.

Pc Kion Wade can be reached at 293-2222 or by e-mail at kwade@bps.bm.