Five arrested on the M42 near Solihull after HGV full of ‘stolen alcohol’ rams police vehicle

Five men have been arrested on the M42 this morning on suspicion of vehicle theft and burglary.

A heavy goods vehicle on cloned plates failed to stop for Central Motorway Police around 10am heading northbound, so a road closure was put in place and the lorry was stung just before junction 7 with front tyres left deflated.

It carried on until a further stinger was deployed just before junction 9 to deflate the rear tyres, and the vehicle exited the motorway before driving the wrong way down the southbound exit slip road.

The HGV rammed a police vehicle and hit several other cars, leaving an officer with suspected broken ribs, eventually coming to a stop blocking the slip road. The driver ran off along the motorway, but was swiftly detained with the help of the police helicopter.

A further four men were detained in the truck, one passenger and three in the rear, where officers also found 200 crates of stolen spirits. One of the men also required hospital treatment for injuries sustained when they came to a stop.

The HGV has been seized for forensic examination and the motorway has since reopened.

Police said all five men, aged 22 to 40, remain in custody and will be questioned in due course.