Burglars in 120mph chase
Burglars reached speeds of more than 120mph in a high-speed police chase today after raiding a Telford service station. Burglars reached speeds of more than 120mph in a high-speed police chase today after raiding a Telford service station. The pursuit came after they raiders were heard breaking into The Red Lion Service Station, Holyhead Road, Wellington, shortly after 3.20am. The burglars, believed to be two men, got into the convenience store before failing to get into a separate room, which contained cash and cigarettes, due to the store's security. It is believed they were then disturbed and made their escape in a Ford Focus, followed by police, fleeing towards the M54. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Burglars reached speeds of more than 120mph in a high speed police chase today after raiding a Telford service station.The pursuit came after they raiders were heard breaking into The Red Lion Service Station, Holyhead Road, Wellington, shortly after 3.20am. The offenders punched the back door, causing damage to the door itself before smashing the front window in an attempt to get in.
The burglars, believed to be two men, got into the convenience store before failing to get into a separate room, which contained cash and cigarettes, due to the store's security.
It is believed they were then disturbed and made their escape in a Ford Focus, followed by police, fleeing towards the M54.
The car is understood to have reached speeds of more than 120mph as uniformed officers chased it for more than seven miles.
The two men got on to the motorway at Junction 7 at Wellington, before driving at high speed to Junction 3 at Cosford, where police pulled out of the pursuit for safety reasons.
The car then continued along the A41 through Cosford towards Wolverhampton.
Telford police spokesman Chris Ammonds said: "A member of the public contacted police today to report that they believed the Red Lion Service Station was being broken into.
"The witness heard voices and crashing and banging.
"Police attended the scene where a hole was discovered in the back door. It appears the offenders, after failing to get in, had gone to the front and smashed the glass to the front.
"They failed to gain access to the cigarettes and cash as they were securely locked up, but a large amount of damage was caused."
Mr Ammonds said: "There was reports of a car speeding away from the scene and a high speed pursuit along the M54 followed. The pursuit came to a halt when the car, believed to be a Ford Focus, left the M54 at Junction 3 and drove at high speed along the A41 towards Wolves."
Service station manager, Stephen Hill said the business was open as usual today, but nearly £400 of damage had been caused in the break-in. Detectives were today studying CCTV images from the garage.