September 13, 2019 2.56 pm This story is over 54 months old

Men pose as police to take woman’s car on chase

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CCTV images of the three suspects in Epworth after they’d left the Tiguan. Photo: Humberside Police

Police are renewing their appeal after BBC’s Crimewatch featured an incident where a group of men posed as police officers and took a woman’s car on a pursuit in North Lincolnshire.

As previously reported, the woman was driving on a country lane outside Wroot in a burgundy VW Tiguan when she saw a white Ford Luton van ramming a sliver Volvo off the road at around 3pm on Tuesday, April 2.

Three men who were in the Volvo got out, flagged the woman down, then got into her car claiming to be police officers to commandeer her car to pursue another vehicle in the Scunthorpe area.

One of them got behind the wheel and drove after the Luton while the woman was still in her car. During the chase a firearm was allegedly fired at the Tiguan by someone in the Luton van.

The Tiguan continued to chase the Luton but eventually stopped in Carrside, Epworth where the three suspects abandoned the car and fled, leaving the woman in it. The woman was not hurt, but was badly shaken and received support from police.

A 44-year-old man from Hertfordshire was arrested in connection with the incident, who has since been released under investigation.

A live appeal was featured on BBC Crimewatch on Thursday, September 12 and detectives from Humberside Police’s Major Crime Team want to trace the three men.

Police want to trace this man, who they believe was in the van. Photo: Humberside Police

The force said they think one of the suspects at some point called for some kind of ‘back up’ as they know that a silver Renault Master van also started to follow the Luton in their place. That van was last seen on the M18.

Police also want to trace the occupants of all the vehicles involved and are keen to speak to any witnesses who have not yet come forward.

Detective Sergeant Mick Keech from Humberside Police’s Major Crime Time, who appeared on Crimewatch, said: “We have already carried out extensive enquiries, working closely with other forces across the country to try and identify the people involved.

“There are CCTV images of the three suspects in Epworth after they’d left the Tiguan. One of them called himself Patrick, he’s white around 40 years old, 5 feet 9 tall with short mousey blond hair and facial stubble. He is described as being well spoken with a Yorkshire accent.”

Police believe the Luton Van had a false number plate. The van was dumped in a carpark at Sheffield Meadowhall. Photo: Humberside Police

A Renault Master van with the registration YF68 KTV. Photo: Humberside Police

Anyone who saw any of the vehicles involved, or can help identify the men, should contact Humberside Police on 101 quoting incident number 16/43817/19.