Three Arrested After Attempted Theft of Van and Digger

Published on: 17 Jan, 2018
Updated on: 18 Jan, 2018

Two men and a teenage boy have been arrested near Seale after a failed attempt to steal a van and a digger from an address in Rowledge near Farnham.

In a Surrey Police press release, a spokesman said: “We received a call shortly before 2pm on 15 January reporting that two people wearing balaclavas were attempting to steal a Ford Transit van that had a trailer with a digger on.

“The van was driven a short distance, then abandoned by the two males. A second vehicle, a BMW, which was following the van proceeded to pick up the individuals.

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“Just after 2.15pm, officers then spotted a different vehicle, a Suzuki Vitara, on Oxenden Road in Tongham that had three occupants wearing balaclavas.

“Officers pursued the vehicle, as it made its way to Seale just south of the A31. The three suspects left the vehicle on Totford Lane and attempted to escape on foot. Officers continued their pursuit on foot through thick mud and were assisted by helicopter and dog support.”

The suspects were tracked and were located in a field where they were detained shortly before 3.15pm.

Two men, both 26, and a teenage boy aged 17, were arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft and traffic offences and have been released pending further investigation.

The police spokesman added: “Countryside and rural crime impacts residents across Surrey. To reduce the chances of plant and agricultural equipment being stolen, we recommend that you don’t keep them in a prominent place, you lock any keys to vehicles or plant machinery away in a safe when it’s not in use and that you should consider using wheel clamps or ground anchors.”