4:00pm Wednesday 25th August 2010
By Kevin Bradford
THREE police cars were rammed by a white van during a frantic one-hour chase through busy north London traffic this morning.
The driver of the van hurtled through rush-hour traffic to escape police who were responding to reports of a bungled theft from a builder's yard.
Police said two men were seen trying to steal equipment from the site, in Depot Approach, Cricklewood, at about 8.10am.
A statement added the men were interrupted and drove off in the transit van, containing several stolen items, towards Enfield.
CCTV cameras spotted the vehicle and police tried to force the driver to stop.
A statement from Barnet police said: "When officers drove up to the vehicle the suspects rammed the police cars in an attempt to escape."
Officers were told the van had later smashed through barriers at a premises in Muswell Hill, before the men ran off in the direction of Alexandra Palace.
The police dog unit hunted the suspects as they went through Alexandra Park, and one of the men was arrested outside Alexandra Palace station at about 8.55am. The second man was caught moments later, police said.
The men, both in their mid to late 20s, were taken to a north London police station for questioning.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.haringeyindependent.co.uk/trade_directory/