Crime spree sees trail of abandoned vehicles

Bungling criminals have left a trail of abandoned machinery across County Durham after a crime spree which saw five incidents in one night.


The spree began in the north west of the county on Monday (6 January). The first incident was an attempted theft of a Manitou telehandler from a barn in Tow Law. The telehandler was driven across a field but it was found abandoned at the nearby A68 road.


The next incident was eight miles away at Cornsay, Lanchester, where criminals tried to smash their way into a tool store. But although the store was badly damaged the would-be thieves could not force it open and left empty handed.


Durham police said a further suspected attempted theft also took place in Lanchester where a Terex T200 telehandler was broken into. The vehicle was moved a short distance but was again abandoned.


The fourth vehicle to be taken and dumped was a Land Rover Discovery at Witton Gilbert four-and-a-half miles further east along the main A691 road. The Discovery was stolen from a farm and driven across fields before being left.


A fifth and final crime in the area took place back in the village of Tow Law. This time thieves successfully stole a Toyota Hilux 4×4.


Durham Constabulary said, although the incidents took place in a small area over a short time period, it could not be assumed that they were linked.


A spokeswoman called for people in the area to be watchful and to call 101 if they had information about the crimes.


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