Warwickshire pair caught with stash of guns in truck after M1 police chase

Two men from Warwickshire were caught with a stash of guns in their truck following a police chase on the M1. Shera Virk and Joseph Steele were inside Ford Truck which failed to stop. Police on patrol on the M1 in Nottinghamshire spotted the suspected cloned vehicle at Trowell Services but, when they tried to pull it over, it drove off.

It led to a short police chase which ended when the truck crashed into a lorry. Officers not only found Steele and Virk in the truck, but also a black case on the back seat. Three guns and ammunition was found inside it.

Investigations revealed that the pair had travelled from Warwickshire[3] to Sheffield earlier in the day to pick up the firearms. They were on their way home when the police swooped. Steele, aged, 34, of Brewery Street, Stratford-upon-Avon[4] and Virk, of Golf Lane, Whitnash were convicted of possession of firearms and possession of prohibited ammunition following a three-week trial at Sheffield Crown Court.

On Friday (February 28), Steele was jailed for nine years while Virk was sentenced to eight years behind bars.

Virk was also convicted of dangerous driving. As a result of the investigation, officers went on to identify further offenders involved in a conspiracy to manufacture and supply firearms to Virk and Steele. They worked with South Yorkshire Police to bring down the organised crime group.

Nine defendants have been convicted of conspiracy to manufacture and supply firearms and prohibited ammunition. They are due to be sentenced over the coming months.

Detective Constable Amelia Hicklin, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "The initial stop by Operational Support officers was an extremely impressive piece of proactive police work. Their alertness and skill on duty allowed us to apprehend these two suspects and take dangerous weapons off the streets and out of harm's way.

"It also prompted a robust and wider investigation with colleagues from other forces.

Thankfully, firearms offences are extremely rare in Nottinghamshire and we are proactive in our efforts to take these weapons off the streets and keep the public safe from the devastating consequences of gun crime."

References

1. ^ Car and gun stolen in Coventry used in drive-by shooting 'revenge murder' - jury told (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
2. ^ Biker airlifted to trauma centre after serious Warwickshire crash (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
3. ^ Warwickshire (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
4. ^ Stratford-upon-Avon (www.coventrytelegraph.net)