If you were travelling on the A1(M) near Junction 47 (Allerton Park) at around 4pm today you may have noticed a significant police presence on the hard shoulder.
Police officers stopped a vehicle which was linked to a shop theft that had taken place in Ripon city centre only minutes earlier.
At 3.40pm, staff at Boots on the Market Square reported that two men had stolen several fragrances from the store.
CCTV operators two suspects who matched the descriptions running across the road and captured them getting into a vehicle.
The registration number was circulated, allowing officers to track the car as it headed towards the A1.
Specialist units were deployed to the motorway network, and by 4pm the vehicle was safely stopped on the southbound carriageway of the A1(M) at Junction 47.
A 15 year old boy, an 18 year old man and a 24 year old man were arrested on suspicion of shop theft and are currently being transported to custody.
A police spokesperson said: “This quick response shows our commitment to tackling retail crime, disrupting offenders and protecting local businesses.”
