Arrests after high-speed police chase
6:20pm Friday 3rd February 2012 in News By Will Frampton
VILLAGERS witnessed a high speed car chase on Saturday when a suspected offender drove off after police tried to stop a car.
Trowbridge police attempted to stop a red Vauxhall Vectra in Paxcroft Mead at around 11am, believing the driver to be disqualified from driving, but the car accelerated away towards West Ashton.
Driving at speed, the car then overtook vehicles along Ashton Road and as it went through Steeple Ashton, and dodged a police stinger device which was laid across Court Road, Bratton.
Spotting the car entering Edington, road traffic PC George Rabczak used a second stinger, which burst the car’s tyres.
It slowed to a halt outside the Paulet Arms and the suspects escaped on foot, with PC Rabczak in pursuit.
Search teams and the police helicopter were called in. Two men were found and arrested on suspicion of theft, driving while disqualified, dangerous driving and failing to stop for police.
PC Rabczak said: “It is certainly not the sort of thing you would usually see in these villages, you might see a short chase but nothing quite like this.
“We are very pleased to have caught the suspects, but the best thing from our point of view is that no one was injured during the pursuit and no damage was caused.”
An 18-year-old from Melksham was later released with no further action taken. A 23-year-old from Trowbridge was released on police bail until March.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly drivers who were in Steeple Ashton and around the Paulet Arms in Edington at the time. Call PC Rabczak or PC Michelle Haley on 101.
