Police have executed a series of warrants in Burnley and made three arrests following an investigation into stolen plant machinery worth £40,000.
Investigating officers said on 17 March 2022, a customer account had been opened with a Rossendale business, with details which were later found to be fraudulent.
Later the same day, the machinery was allegedly stolen from the work site and sold onto unsuspecting buyers. The excavator and dumper truck were later located in Bedfordshire, and were identified as those stolen earlier in March. These were returned to the rightful owner.
Two 40-year-old men and a 34-year old woman were today (August 9) arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft. The woman was later de-arrested and will be voluntarily interviewed under caution later in the week.
PC Dan Haworth, of the Rossendale and Burnley Rural Task Force said: “Officers worked collaboratively with neighbourhood and neighbourhood task force officers to execute three warrants in the Burnley area, following an investigation into the theft of plant machinery.
“This type of crime comes at a high cost to local business and creates a hindrance on local communities and workers who go about their daily work.
"We have taken positive action to close in on this type of illegal activity, and should you have information which you believe could help us with the whereabouts of William Cross we ask that you report it to us quoting log 415 8 August 2022.”
Andrew Snowden, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner said: "Disrupting and dismantling organised crime gangs that are often involved in major thefts such as plant and other farming equipment, and cracking down on burglary and robbery are both priorities in my Police and Crime Plan.
"In order to combat these crimes, proactive operations such as this one are integral and I always welcome the opportunity to join officers on the front-line in raids which act on intelligence from the public."
Police are now appealing for information on the whereabouts of a third man, William Cross (pictured below) who is also wanted on Conspiracy to Commit Theft. Anyone with information on William’s whereabouts is asked to call 101 quoting log 715 of the 8 August, 2022.
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