Lorry driver is hijacked at gunpoint on Deeside Industrial Park

Feb 25 2010 by Francesca Elliott, Flintshire Chronicle

A LORRY driver was kidnapped at gun point during a hijacking on Deeside Industrial Park.

The male driver of the Ray Stewart Haulage lorry carrying Umbro sportswear, was threatened with the gun before being forced into a black people carrier by three people in balaclavas.

The burnt-out lorry, minus its load, was later found in the St Helens area and the driver was freed unhurt in Wigan.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident which happened at around 8am on Wednesday of last week.

The thieves are thought to have got away with thousands of pounds worth of England football shirts

A spokesperson from Umbro said: “Umbro has been informed of the incident concerning the stolen England away football shirts and are co-operating fully with police.

“We encourage anyone offered suspicious England away shirts to report it to police immediately as this is a serious criminal matter.”

Police are urging anyone who was in the Drome Road area on zone three of Deeside Industrial Park at that time and saw anything suspicious to contact them.

Sgt Craig Turner said: “The driver was uninjured, but very shocked. Deeside Industrial Park is a busy area, especially at this time of the morning, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or noticed anything suspicious.”

The stolen vehicle was a black Volvo FH12 Sleeper cab, with ‘Ray Stewart Haulage’ written on the sides in gold and silver.

Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Mold CID on 101 if calling from Wales or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111, send a text to 66767 or email northwalespolice@ north-wales.police.uk.