HGV diesel thief caught red-handed on A14 in Northamptonshire

Police caught a fuel thief red-handed syphoning diesel from an HGV on the A14 in Northamptonshire.

Teams from the Police Armed Response Vehicle squad were alerted by ANPR cameras to a silver Vauxhall Zafira showing fake number plates on the A14 in Northamptonshire.

They tracked the vehicle down to a lay-by between Junction 1 and Junction 2 and discovered the haul of fuel — suspected to be stolen — and a fuel syphoning kit attacked to an HGV.

PD Fama of the Police Dogs Section tracked down a knife thrown by the suspect.

A spokesman for the ARV team said: "A cloned vehicle trawling the A14 was located in a lay-by on the eastbound carriageway and was full of stolen diesel.

"A syphoning kit was found attached to a HGV. A male present was seen to throw a knife into a hedge which was recovered."

Police confirmed a 34-year-old man from Daventry remained in custody at Friday lunchtime after being arrested on suspicion of theft and possession of a bladed article.

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