Police chase ends after pair steal £40,000 worth of tyres
Leeds duo Dean Higgins, of Winrose Avenue, and Connor Barnett, of Quarry Way in Horsforth, have been jailed. A detective inspector said: "I hope this sends a message loud and clear that we are tireless in our efforts to stop cross-county criminals in their tracks." [embedded content]
500 tyres stolen in HGV
At around 2.45am on December 12 of last year, a man was asleep in a heavy-goods vehicle in the Woolston area of Warrington when he was woken by loud banging coming from the rear trailer.
On inspection, he saw that tyres from his trailer were being unloaded and placed onto another -with around 500 in total reportedly being taken. The police were contacted and the HGV filled with the stolen tyres fled the scene. Officers soon located the vehicle - which was displaying false plates - as it entered Manchester via the M62 from the M6.
Police helicopter sent out
Greater Manchester Police officers joined Cheshire Police in a covert pursuit while the means to stop the vehicle were put in place.
Once the lorry entered the West Yorkshire area, it failed to stop and a pursuit began, with officers additionally aided by colleagues in the National Police Air Service. The lorry weaved in and out of traffic between lanes, putting other road users at significant risk of harm as Higgins drove the vehicle in a dangerous manner to avoid police.
Lorry stung and pair arrested near Bradford
During this pursuit, Higgins collided with a GMP traffic car, causing it to spin out and crash into the central reservation. Thankfully, the officer in the vehicle only received minor injuries.
The pursuit came to an end after the lorry, which was stung earlier in the pursuit, lost control and came to a rest near Bradford. Higgins and Barnett fled the vehicle as it came to a stop, making off across the opposite carriageway. The two were quickly located thanks to the assistance of NPAS, specialist dog units within GMP, and officers from West Yorkshire Police.
Leeds duo jailed
Higgins, 35, was jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to theft, driving whilst disqualified, and dangerous driving.
Barnett, 21, was sentenced to 14 months after pleading guilty to theft. The pair received their sentences at Liverpool Crown Court last Friday.
'Pair rightly behind bars'
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."
Men 'thought they could simply get away with it'
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."