Suspected burglar stopped in stolen car on motorway

GMP

A suspected burglar was arrested after an operation involving officers from both Greater Manchester and Lancashire.

At about 8.15pm on Saturday 19 March 2011, an offender sneaked into the kitchen of a house on Ashfield Road, Rochdale, stole a set of car keys and drove off in the householder's green VW Bora.

The victim called the police and the details were given to ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) staff from both forces.

At about 1.15am on Sunday 20 March 2011, an ANPR team from Lancashire spotted the car heading south on the M66 near Bury and informed GMP.

The car was then stopped by motorway patrols on the M62 near Birch services and a 33-year-old man arrested on suspicion of burglary. He remains in custody for questioning.

Sgt Simeon Holt said: "This arrest demonstrated excellent co-operation between two neighbouring forces. The car was stopped by two motorway patrols on the hard shoulder.

"It also once again showed how the cutting edge technology at our disposal can bring about quick, positive results.

"Police inquiries are still ongoing."