Police arrest three men after pharmacy car delivering prescriptions is stolen

A vehicle from the GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU)

A successful day shift by GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU) yesterday (22 April) resulted in six arrests and the recovery of three stolen vehicles.

At around 10.20am a Vauxhall Corsa that was being used by a pharmacy to deliver medicine in Rochdale was stolen.

Officers from GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit (TVIU) attended and began searching the area, supported by specialist officers from the National Police Air Service, GMP’s Road Policing Unit and GMP’s Tactical Dog Unit.

A short time later, the vehicle was located and recovered. Three men were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, theft of controlled drugs and non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions. They remain in police custody for questioning.

At around 10.50am, officers carrying out a routine patrol in the Rochdale area observed a suspected stolen VW Polo. The TVIU, who were in the area, attended and engaged in a short pursuit which resulted in a woman being arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply a class A drugs, dangerous driving, failing to stop and non-compliance with Covid-19 restrictions. She remains in police custody for questioning.

As the TVIU officers left the scene of the previous incident, they observed a second suspected stolen vehicle, a 3 Series BMW, in the North Manchester area believed to have been taken in a residential burglary from Stockport.

The TVIU officers engaged in a short pursuit which resulted in the arrest of two men on suspicion of burglary, handling stolen goods and possession with intent to supply class A drugs. They remain in police custody for questioning.

Sergeant Daniel Kabal, of GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, said: “Today’s results are a great example of how Greater Manchester Police utilises specialist resources such as the Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, and the team work across the entire Specialist Operations Branch when it comes to protecting our communities.

“In just a few hours, officers from the TVIU assisted with three incidents resulting in six arrests and the recovery of three stolen vehicles and I’d like to thank the officers involved for their efforts in securing these outcomes.

“I’d particularly like to highlight the hard work undertaken to recover the pharmacy’s delivery vehicle. This was essential at this unprecedented time - especially for the most vulnerable people in our communities who rely on that service to deliver their medication.”