Suspected teen car thief who hid in bushes after police pursuit arrested
A 17-year-old was arrested on suspicion of burglary and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs
by Daniel Hall · ChronicleLiveA suspected teen car thief who hid in a bush after a police pursuit has been arrested.
Police received reports of 11 separate crimes carried out in the Brunton Rise area of Gosforth and the Augusta Park area of Dinnington across the early hours of Sunday and the early hours of Monday. The offences included motor vehicle interference, burglary, and the theft of a BMW, a Skoda and a Mini Cooper.
Officers with Northumbria Police's Roads Policing Unit traced another stolen vehicle, a Kia, believed to have been taken in the Durham area, which was suspected of being used to transport suspects involved in the offences between estates. Observing that the Kia and Skoda were travelling in convoy, police pursued the vehicles, resulting in the Kia being involved in a collision.
A 17-year-old male suspected of stealing one of the vehicles was found hiding in a bush around 100 yards away, who was then arrested on suspicion of burglary and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs. The force believe there were two suspects in each car, with enquiries continuing to find the other person in the Kia and the two in the Skoda.
Detective Constable Michael Scott said: "These offences appear to be opportunistic crimes, in which perpetrators look for unlocked properties or vehicles.
"We would encourage all members of the public to ensure their vehicles and homes are locked when leaving them and also ask that no valuables are left on display inside the vehicles. Please also make sure that vehicle alarms are activated and consider other security measures if possible, such as steering locks or wheel locks."
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