Reward Offered After M53's £1Million Cigarette Hi-Jack

Source from:  chestereveningleader.co.uk 15th August 2008 08/15/2008

POLICE are offering a £50,000 reward for information after a £1 million cigarette lorry hi-jack. A 46-year-old driver, from Montgomery Transport, Lancashire, was travelling along the M53 en-route to Birkenhead Docks when he was forced to follow a Ford Galaxy. The vehicle was purporting to be from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), pulled up in front of the victim's lorry and illuminated a sign which said: 'Follow me'. The lorry then followed the fake VOSA vehicle to junction seven of the M53 and two men forced the driver to comply with their demands. At junction seven the lorry driver was told to take the trailer of cigarettes to the Hapsford Services. The trailer of cigarettes was detached and put on the offenders trailer. Police are hunting a gang of four who carried out the hi-jack and forced the driver, from the Lancashire area, to attach his trailer containing cigarettes worth £1 million. A £50,000 reward is now on offer for those who have vital information on the crime. A Cheshire Police spokeman said they hoped the reconstruction, exactly a week after the incident happened on Thursday, August 7, would help to jog drivers' memories and net crucial witnesses. The driver, who was left "distraught by his horrendous ordeal" was later found with his cab in Killingholme in Humberside. Investigating officer DS Nigel Parr said: "This has had major effect on the driver. "We are doing everything we can to bring the offenders to justice." The fake VOSA vehicle has not yet been found. Tomorrow, Cheshire Police will be staging a roadside reconstruction at junction seven of the M53 and putting a cab and trailer similar to the one the gang targeted. If you have any information contact DS Parr on 01244 613131 or call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111. Enditem