Whiskey theft suspected arrested after police chase

A suspected whiskey thief was arrested after a police pursuit along the A64 near Tadcaster.

At about 1am this morning, North Yorkshire Police received a report that an HGV trailer had been slashed open at Wetherby services on the A1(M). A large number of boxes of whiskey were stolen from inside.

Specially-trained roads policing officers deployed immediately, and at 1.40am they spotted a white MAN refrigerated van in suspicious circumstances near Bramham.

The vehicle failed to stop, and drove onto the A64 eastbound. Pursued by officers, it left the A64 at Copmanthorpe before rejoining and driving the wrong way, heading eastbound on the westbound carriageway.

At 2.10am, officers found the van in trees off the A64, near the Tadcaster Road slip road. Minutes after the vehicle was located, a man covered in mud was spotted at the Askham Bar roundabout. The NPAS police helicopter also assisted in the search.

Inside the van were boxes of whiskey matching the brand that had been stolen earlier. The vehicle was seized to be forensically examined. Checks revealed it had previously been reported stolen from the Leeds area.

A man in his 40s from Leeds was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving whilst disqualified, driving without insurance, taking a vehicle without the owner’s consent and theft from a vehicle. He remains in custody as enquiries continue.