Pair jailed after lorry chase takes police from Warrington to Bradford
A lorry carrying more than £40,000 worth of stolen tyres failed to stop for police
Last updated 14 hours ago
Two men have been jailed after a dangerous police pursuit involving a lorry loaded with more than £40,000 worth of stolen tyres travelled across three force areas.
Dean Higgins, born 13th February 1991, and Connor Barnett, born 4th June 2004, were in the heavy goods vehicle when it fled from police in December.
The pursuit involved officers from Greater Manchester Police, Cheshire Police and West Yorkshire Police.
Higgins, of Winrose Avenue in Leeds, was jailed for 27 months after pleading guilty to theft, driving while disqualified and dangerous driving.
Barnett, of Quarry Way in Leeds, was jailed for 14 months after pleading guilty to theft.
Both were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday 6th March.
Tyres taken from parked lorry
At around 2.45am on 12th December 2025, a man was asleep in a heavy goods vehicle in the Woolston area of Warrington when he was woken by loud banging from the rear trailer.
When he checked the vehicle, he saw tyres from his trailer were being unloaded and placed onto another lorry.
Around 500 tyres were reportedly taken before police were called.
The lorry containing the stolen tyres left the scene.
Dangerous pursuit across motorways
Officers later located the vehicle, which was displaying false number plates, as it entered Greater Manchester Police’s area via the M62 from the M6.
Officers from Greater Manchester Police joined Cheshire Police in a covert pursuit while plans were made to stop the vehicle.
When the lorry entered West Yorkshire, it failed to stop and a pursuit began with assistance from the National Police Air Service.
During the chase the lorry weaved between lanes and put other road users at risk as Higgins drove in an attempt to avoid police.
Higgins also collided with a Greater Manchester Police traffic vehicle, causing it to spin and crash into the central reservation.
The officer involved suffered minor injuries.
The pursuit ended near Bradford after the lorry, which had earlier been stung by police, lost control and came to a stop.
Higgins and Barnett then fled on foot across the opposite carriageway but were quickly found by officers with the help of the National Police Air Service, specialist dog units from Greater Manchester Police and officers from West Yorkshire Police.
Officers praise joint operation
PC Philip Raymond from Greater Manchester Police’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.
“The work of Cheshire, GMP, and West Yorkshire has meant the pair are now rightly behind bars for their crimes, and is testament to the commitment and dedication of all police forces.”
Detective Inspector David Schofield from Cheshire Police said:
“This is another fine example of forces working together to catch criminals and put them before the courts. They certainly got more than they bargained for when they came to Cheshire to steal and thought they could simply get away with it.
“I hope this sends a message loud and clear that we are tireless in our efforts to stop cross-county criminals in their tracks and get justice for victims.”