Two jailed after £40k tyre theft and motorway chase

Dean Higgins and Connor Barnett removed around 500 tyres from another HGV at a rest stop in the Woolston area of Warrington, Cheshire, in December 2025, before weaving along the M62 and M6 and crashing into a police car.

The pair were eventually arrested near Bradford after they lost control of the lorry, said Greater Manchester Police.

Higgins, 35, of Winrose Avenue, Leeds, and Barnett, 21, of Quarry Way, Leeds, were jailed for 27 months and 14 months respectively after pleading guilty to theft, driving whilst disqualified and dangerous driving at Liverpool Crown Court on 6 March.

The force said at around 02:45 GMT on the morning of the theft, the sleeping driver of the first lorry was woken by loud banging coming from his rear trailer and saw the cargo of tyres being unloaded.

Higgins and Barnett then fled the scene in the HGV filled with stolen tyres and once the lorry entered West Yorkshire, a pursuit began with the help of the National Police Air Service.

Greater Manchester Police said the lorry, driven by Higgins, careered in and out of traffic between lanes before it crashed into a police car, causing it to spin out and smash into the central reservation.

A spokesperson added: "Thankfully, the officer in the vehicle only received minor injuries."

After the lorry came to a stop, Higgins and Barnett fled the vehicle but were arrested shortly after.

PC Philip Raymond, from GMP's Roads Policing Unit, said: "This was a highly challenging and dangerous pursuit which involved colleagues from three different police forces.

"The pair stole thousands of pounds worth of tyres and showed recklessness as they fled, including spinning out a GMP officer - we are fortunate there were not more serious consequences for their actions."

Det Insp David Schofield, from Cheshire Police, said: "They certainly got more than they bargained for when they came to Cheshire to steal and thought they could simply get away with it."