Police cars and helicopters chase criminals down M62 and M6 after Warrington theft

Dean Higgins and Connor Barnett appeared at Liverpool Crown Court over the incident

08:52, 10 Mar 2026

Police have released footage of the dramatic chase that saw three separate police forces working together with dogs and helicopters to catch the audacious thieves that made off with GBP40,000 of stolen tyres(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Dramatic footage shows the huge police chase down the M62 and M6 after an incident in Warrington[1]. Dean Higgins, 35, and Connor Barnett, 21, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court over the theft, which took place in the Woolston area of Warrington last year on December 12.

Greater Manchester Police[2] (GMP) said at around 2.45am that morning[3], a lorry driver was asleep in his vehicle when he was woken by loud banging coming from the rear trailer. When he went to investigate, he saw that tyres from his trailer were being unloaded[4] and placed onto another.

Around 500 in total were reportedly being taken.

Police were alerted and the HGV filled with stolen tyres fled the scene, the MEN reports.[5]

Officers soon located the vehicle, travelling under false plates, as it entered GMP's jurisdiction via the M6 and M62[6], with Cheshire and GMP officers beginning a covert pursuit, which reached the West Yorkshire area.

Shortly after reaching West Yorkshire, the lorry failed to stop and a pursuit began on the motorway, also followed by a police helicopter.

Dramatic footage released by the force shows the lorry weaving in and out of traffic, cutting up other vehicles and narrowly missing a side-swipe on a police vehicle.

It later collided with a GMP traffic vehicle, causing it to spin out and crash into the central reservation, though the occupants only suffered minor injuries.

Once the lorry had been successfully stung and lost a wheel, more footage showed it colliding with the central reservation, sparks flying as it dragged along for several hundred metres before coming to rest.

The chase took place on the M62 and M6(Image: Greater Manchester Police)

But the occupants Higgins and Barnett had alighted the lorry before it had even come to a stop, and could be seen on an aerial camera sprinting across the opposite carriageway before scrambling up the opposite bank.

But they were quickly apprehended by West Yorkshire Police officers and GMP dog units, with aid from the Police Air service.

Higgins and Barnett were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, March 6 for the theft.

Higgins, who was at the wheel at the time, was also sentenced after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and driving whilst disqualified.

Higgins, 35, of Winrose Avenue, Leeds, was jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to theft, driving whilst disqualified, and dangerous driving.

Barnett, 21, of Quarry Way, Leeds, was jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to theft.

PC Philip Raymond, from GMP's Roads Policing Unit, said: "This was a highly challenging and dangerous pursuit which involved colleagues from three different police forces.

"The pair stole thousands of pounds worth of tyres and showed recklessness as they fled, including spinning out a GMP officer - we are fortunate there were not more serious consequences for their actions.

"The work of Cheshire, GMP, and West Yorkshire has meant that the pair are now rightly behind bars for their crimes, and is testament to the commitment and dedication of all police forces."

Detective Inspector David Schofield, from Cheshire Police, said: "This is another fine example of forces working together to catch criminals and put them before the courts.

They certainly got more than they bargained for when they came to Cheshire to steal and thought they could simply get away with it.

"I hope this sends a message loud and clear that we are tireless in our efforts to stop cross-county criminals in their tracks and get justice for victims."

References

1. ^ Warrington (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
2. ^ Greater Manchester Police (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
3. ^ morning (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
4. ^ unloaded (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)
5. ^ MEN reports. (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)
6. ^ M62 (www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk)