Twelve arrests have been made in response to the A66 crash which killed seven people on Saturday, Cleveland Police has confirmed.
A major investigation has been launched by Cleveland Police into suspected criminal activity connected to the events leading up to the fatal collision which killed seven people, including serving officers PC Matthew Blades and PC Tom Clough.
Details of the crash
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.
Fatal collision on the A66
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.
Arrests and investigation
Over the weekend, Cleveland Police says it has been working alongside colleagues from Durham, Northumbria and North Yorkshire Police to piece together what happened before the fatal crash. The investigation has so far led to 12 arrests across Teesside.
Those arrested are nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61. They are suspected of a number of offences, including possession of a firearm and involvement in the activities of an organised crime group.
Police have also said there is currently no evidence that footage recorded during Friday night and Saturday morning was intended for publication on TikTok.
Four people travelling in the Passat were known to have previous police convictions. Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, who is overseeing the strategic direction 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.”
