Caught in a flash! Roads Policing officers detain carjacker minutes after committing burglary in Rochdale

Thursday, 27 February 2025 15:45

By David Murphy

In the early hours of this morning (Thursday 27 February 2025), our Roads Policing Unit were made aware of a burglary that had taken place where a CUPRA Formentor had been stolen from Ennerdale Road in Middleton.

Less than 20 minutes from the call being received about a burglary in action, officers on patrol from our Roads Policing Unit found the stolen car nearby being driven by the suspects.
Enquiries are ongoing to locate the driver but as he fled he left his accomplice trapped in the vehicle who is linked to other burglaries.
Due to our proactive approach to crime we have seen an 18% decrease this year in relation to theft of motor vehicle incidents.

Within minutes, 18 precisely, our officers witnessed the car and following a short pursuit, a 19-year-old was left trapped in the vehicle by his accomplice and arrested on suspicion of burglary and theft of a motor vehicle. He remains in custody for questioning at this time.

The car was subsequently recovered and despite having minor damage was returned to the owner this morning.

Enquiries are continuing to track down the second suspect.

PC Pilkington from our Roads Policing Unit who conducted the arrest said; “This is a prime example of the work we are doing on a daily basis to catch offenders in the act. As a specialised unit we are constantly patrolling the roads across the whole of Greater Manchester and intend to respond to incidents as quickly as we can with the resources at our disposal.

“As we’ve seen on this occasion, that quick action from the report coming into us and then assisting response colleagues with the incident means we have had another positive result.

“We understand the distress being the victim of a burglary can have and that is why we are seeing decreases in key areas, with theft of motor vehicle incidents decreasing by nearly a fifth (18%) this year (in 2025).”

Anyone with information that can help with ongoing enquiries linked to the suspects and other potential incidents are asked to call 101 quoting incident 296 of 27/02/2025.

For crime prevention advice on how to keep your vehicle safe, visit: Keeping vehicles safe | Crime prevention | Greater Manchester Police

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

More from Local News

Rochdale education awards return for second year

The achievements of Rochdale’s teachers, tutors, support staff and education professionals are to once again be officially celebrated as the borough’s education awards return for a second year.
Mayor of Greater Manchester calls for fix to England’s ‘broken’ taxi licensing system

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham calls for devolved powers on taxis to fix a broken national taxi system
Police and partner initiative launched in Rochdale town centre to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

The new Clear, Hold, Build initiative, known locally as Operation Tetbury, will see a dedicated neighbourhood policing team work closely with Rochdale Council, local support services, visitors, and the local business community to understand the root causes of the issues which are affecting them the most.
Former Rochdale midfielder Joe Thompson dies aged 36

Joe Thompson, the former Rochdale AFC midfielder and cancer awareness advocate, has died at the age of 36.
New McDonald’s drive-thru plan officially tabled

A new McDonald’s drive-thru could soon be coming to Rochdale.
Detective Sergeant Dismissed and Banned from Policing following Sexual Assault Conviction

A Greater Manchester Police detective has been formally dismissed from the force and barred from ever returning to policing after being convicted of two counts of sexual assault.
Each candidate hoping to win the Balderstone and Kirkholt by-election

Seven candidates will battle it out at next month’s by-election to become Rochdale’s newest councillor.
Thousands enjoy spectacular town centre parade

More than 2,500 flocked to Rochdale Town Hall Square as the ‘Flight of Fancy’ parade came to town last week.
GMP and partners made more than 130 visits to business premises as part of a national intensification crackdown in March

The three-week-long action, called Operation Machinize, began with three warrants on 3 March, which resulted in the recovery of 150 cannabis plants, the arrest of three individuals, and the detention of two individuals by Immigration Enforcement.
Pub continues fight to keep outdoor ‘tipi’ after council orders them to remove it within a month

A long-running saga about an unauthorised teepee in a pub’s beer garden is set to continue.
Cannabis plants worth up to £350k seized in Rochdale

Neighbourhood officers in Rochdale have uncovered a cannabis farm with £350,000 worth of plants discovered.
‘You’ve missed a bit’ Road markings gaffe at entrance to one-way street

Highways contractors repainting road markings have been left red-faced after ‘missing a bit’ at the junction of a one-way street in Bury.