Essex Police officers arrested a man less than 30 minutes after a vehicle was reported stolen on New Year’s Day.
Police said the Force Control Room received a call at 8:49 p.m. from a car owner who had received a mobile alert indicating his Ford Fiesta had been moved without permission in Basildon.
Just 18 minutes later, the vehicle was spotted by the Roads Policing Unit traveling at speeds of more than 100 mph along the A127 near Rayleigh Weir.
During the pursuit, the driver lost control and crashed close to the interchange. The impact caused major damage and deployed the airbags. The sole occupant then attempted to flee on foot across nearby vegetation.
A pursuing officer quickly caught the suspect, who was wearing a balaclava and gloves at the time. Officers also recovered items believed to have been used to steal the vehicle, including a safety knife.
The suspect, Alex Harrison, 20, of Tilbury, was arrested shortly after 9 p.m. and taken into custody.
Harrison was charged with aggravated vehicle taking, dangerous driving, possession of a bladed article, and going equipped to steal. He appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court, where he received an interim driving ban before later being disqualified from driving for two years.
After pleading guilty to all offenses at Basildon Magistrates’ Court, Harrison was sentenced to 11 months in prison suspended for 18 months, along with a three-month electronic monitoring order and was required to pay fines and court costs.
According to Adam Pipe, head of roads policing for Essex Police, the suspect’s driving created serious risks for other motorists, particularly given the cold and damp conditions. Officials added that tackling vehicle theft remains a key priority across the county.
