Thief thought he’d got away with it, then police spotted something amiss
An HGV driver was arrested on suspicion of theft and driving while disqualified
19:02, 08 Jan 2026Updated 19:03, 08 Jan 2026
View 2 ImagesCheshire Police arrested an HGV driver on January 7. (Image: Cheshire Police )Cheshire Police have praised a 'fantastic bit of teamwork' between three police forces which saw a thief finally caught after a 200-mile getaway.
The force said that on the morning of January 7 they were notified of a lorry heading northbound on the M6 with false number plates between the Crewe and Sandbach junctions. The vehicle was later stopped by officers from the Roads and Crime Unit at the Birchwood junction of the M62[1].
On searching the vehicle, police said they found hundreds of steam cleaners which had been stolen from a storage container in Portsmouth, over two hundred miles away. The 50-year-old driver was arrested on suspicion of theft, driving while disqualified, no insurance, and going equipped for theft.
He has since been bailed pending further enquiries.
View 2 ImagesHundreds of stolen steam cleaners were found (Image: Cheshire Police )Chief Inspector Cameron Taylor said: "He clearly thought he was going to make a clean getaway with his haul, but he didn't expect we would continue our relentless pursuit across borders.
Article continues below"This was a fantastic piece of teamwork between our force, West Midlands and Greater Manchester Police[2]."
References
- ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
- ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)