Lorry with £300,000 haul stolen in Heywood - police appeal

CCTV still of a man police are trying to trace

Police in Heywood have released a CCTV still of a man they are trying to trace following the theft of an artic lorry containing about £300,000 worth of goods in March 2006.

The Mercedes lorry and trailer were stolen from Translight Storage at the Heywood Distribution Centre on Broadlands at 3.15pm on Saturday 25 March. It is believed someone driving a Citroen Xantia dropped off the offender close to the security lodge. The Citroen drove away and the man walked through the security barrier and into the centre. He was not stopped by security.

It is believed the man then drove the lorry and trailer out of the centre approximately 12 minutes later. The lorry contained two Harley Davidson motorbikes, gym equipment, household furniture and bathroom suites which were awaiting transportation to different retailers across the country.

The lorry was found abandoned on Corporation Road in Audenshawe at around 5.25pm on the same day.  Its contents had been removed.

The man detectives are trying to trace is described as being white, of medium build, in his thirties, with a long brown ponytail down the length of his back. Officers believe he must have been a HGV driver in the past.

Anyone who recognises the man or has any information about the theft is asked to contact detectives in Heywood on 0161 856 4644, 856 4646 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.