Cleveland Police have provided further details on 12 people arrested as part of an investigation into the events leading up to the A66 crash that killed two police officers and five men.
Police were alerted on the morning of Saturday (August 22) after receiving a number of reports concerning two vehicles being driven dangerously. One of the vehicles, believed to be a Volvo XC60, was reported to have been used to ram properties in Middlesbrough. A Volkswagen Passat was also reported and is believed to have been linked to the Volvo's activities.
Both cars were fitted with cloned number plates, apparently in an attempt to evade police detection. However, they were identified by Cleveland Police's automated number plate recognition system. After the Passat was pursued by police, it drove the wrong-way down the A66 dual carriageway, where it crashed into an oncoming police car and killed PC Blades, 37, and PC Clough, 38. The Passat's occupants, Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Jacob Matusiak, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and Cole Robert Worthy, 17, also died.
Details of arrests made
Two men, aged 24 and 19, were arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possessing an offensive weapon. Both remain in police custody. A 30-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in custody.
A 35-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group and possessing an offensive weapon and remains in custody. A 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participating in an organised crime group, possessing an offensive weapon and criminal damage. He has been remanded in custody on recall to prison.
A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of making threats to cause criminal damage and public order offences and remains in custody. A 61-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and has been released on conditional bail.
Further arrests and charges
A 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply, and possessing class C drugs. She has been released on conditional bail. An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply, and possessing class C drugs. He has been released on unconditional bail.
A 39-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate, possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply, and possessing class C drugs. He has been released on conditional bail. A 26-year-old man from Redcar has been charged with possessing class A and class B drugs with intent to supply and possessing criminal property. Another 39-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of making threats to kill, has been released on conditional bail.
Investigation continues
Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: “This has been a fast-moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.
“The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect. We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident and to bring all those responsible to justice.
“Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime. Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy. Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.
“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”
