Ten cars, helicopters and armed police: 30-mile police chase comes to dramatic end near Stafford
A dramatic police chase ended with four suspected robbers being snared near Stafford today after a pursuit involving a helicopter, two police forces, 10 cars and armed officers.
The men are suspected of robbing a jewellers in Cheshire this morning before fleeing in a transit van down the M6 through Staffordshire.
They made it past Stafford but their car was finally stopped on the A449 near Junction 13, where all four were eventually arrested - but not without further drama.
Police had initially been called to a jewellers on Pillory Street in the centre of Nantwich, where crooks wearing balaclavas had broken in through a window and snatched a number of watches before making off in a black BMW.
The BMW was soon found on fire in the outskirts of Nantwich, with the suspects jumping into a white transit van which they used as their second getaway vehicle.
The gang made it onto the M6 but were soon spotted by police and followed onto the A449 at Junction 13, where the van pulled over and two men - one wearing a balaclava - were tasered by police, according to eyewitnesses.
They reported that two other men attempted to flee before a third getaway car - believed to be a black Audi - raced back towards the M6 only to be stopped before the motorway, with officers on the ground being helped by the police helicopter.
All four men were arrested on suspicion of robbery.
Cheshire Police said many people were around the jewellers when the robbery took place and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
Detective Inspector Alison Ross said: "There were a lot of people in the area of Pillory Street at the time.
"I'd like to thank those who have spoken to police already but I would ask anyone who has not yet spoken to us to contact us so we can progress with our enquiries."
Anyone with information can contact Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 301 on July 27, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
