Stone thefts hunt: Three arrests

12:28pm Tuesday 22nd April 2008

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THREE suspects have been arrested in the hunt for thieves who have escaped with historic stone artefacts across Pendle.

Police have been investigating a series of thefts across the Colne, Nelson, Earby and Sough areas, which have seen stone gatepost tops, some times worth more than £1,000 each, targeted.

But last weekend police made a breakthrough when they tried to pull over a stolen silver Vauxhall Vectra in Cottontree Lane.

The vehicle's driver refused to stop and drove off towards Laneshawbridge, with a police car following.

Eventually the Vectra, which had been stolen from the Brierfield area, was abandoned in Briercliffe Avenue, near Gibfield School.

Inside the boot of the Vectra was allegedly a number of stone items, police say.

Sgt Matt Henderson said a trio ran off but police lay in wait for them and arrested them when they returned to the vehicle later.

Three men, aged 22 to 36, from the Burnley area, were arrested and are due to be interviewed over the alleged thefts of the stone.

Police believe the missing stones, after being treated and cleaned, could potentially be resold unwittingly by specialist salvage firms.