A high-speed car chase across the Pennines ended with a suspect in the cells, having been caught hiding in a river.
After quadbikes were stolen from Alston in the early hours of yesterday morning, Cumbria police pursued an Audi A6 across the border into Teesdale where they were aided by Durham officers.
Speeding along the A66 and through villages, police said the driver and two passengers tried everything to avoid being captured including throwing the headrests and other objects out of the car at the pursuing vehicles.
Despite sending sparks flying with a blowout, the suspected thieves refused to pull over and instead tried their luck abandoning the car near a river in West Auckland.
With the help of a police helicopter, the driver was located trying to hide in the water.
Bishop Auckland inspector, Peter Lonsdale, said: “This was a great example of working together with our neighbouring forces to intercept those who think it’s ok to commit crime in the more remote areas of our force.
“Rest assured if you think our rural communities are an easy target – think again.”
The driver, a 27-year-old man, was arrested in connection with the incident and remains in police custody.
The quadbikes and car were recovered.
