Police chase as gang flee down wrong side of M65
Published Date:
06 June 2008
DETECTIVES are hunting two thieves who escaped from the wreckage of a van used to steal £30,000-worth of computer equipment. It crashed following a motorway chase involving patrol cars and the police helicopter in the early hours of Wednesday.
The white Ford Transit van was driven "dangerously" the wrong way down the M65.
Police responded to reports the van was parked alongside a lorry in Shorten Brook Way at the Altham Industrial Estate. A member of the public dialled 999 after spotting two men loading computer monitors and projectors into the van as the driver slept in the cab.
As officers arrived the men fled sparking a chase as the van was driven onto the M65 the wrong way at the Padiham and Hapton junction.
The driver continued to race towards Blackburn, the wrong way on the eastbound carriageway, before careering into an embankment and coming to a standstill. A police spokesman said officers chased the vehicle for "a short distance" and the force helicopter was called out before the van crashed.
"They were obviously driving dangerously but it was only a short pursuit," she said.
Police swooped on the van but the men had fled, leaving the computer goods.
A search failed to find the thieves and police are appealing for anyone with information to contact them on 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555 111.
The full article contains 243 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
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Last Updated:
06 June 2008 10:17 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Burnley
