Police arrested FIVE teenagers related to a vehicle crime spree across Rotherham and Sheffield
In the early hours of Wednesday morning (3 January), officers identified a spree of attempted thefts of Ford vehicles across Sheffield and Rotherham.
During the morning, two cars travelling in convoy failed to stop for officers and narrowly missed an officer in her car while travelling at high speeds. The pursuits came to an end when the vehicles collided and the suspects fled from the scene.
Police said โChecks on the vehicle showed they had both just been stolen from a burglary overnight in Rotherham.โ
โWith the offenders on foot and attempting to escape, dog handlers supported and tracked their scent, heading back towards the Operational Support Unit on Letsby Avenue.โ
โA complex with highly trained officers is not the most ideal place to run towards, and a suspicious vehicle was soon sighted, believed to be collecting the suspects.โ
Acting Sergeant Sophie Minto explains more: โOfficers trained in tactical pursuit quickly contained the car and brought it to a stop.
โFive teenagers aged 16, 17, 17, 18 and 19 were arrested on suspicion of burglary. As we searched the vehicle, we located various offensive weapons including a combat knife and sword. These were found alongside various tools that we suspected had been, or could be used for theft and burglary offences (for going equipped), as well as a small quantity of Class B controlled drugs.
โThese finds led to further arrests for going equipped to steal and driving while unfit though drugs.โ
The three juveniles and two men were detained overnight whilst enquiries continued by officers from Rotherham CID. They have all since been released on police bail.
