A SUSPECTED car thief was arrested following a chase through Melksham by Wiltshire Police and Wiltshire Air Ambulance. 
A grey Vauxhall Zafira was flagged up on the A420 in Chippenham at 8.53am by an automatic number plate recognition camera (ANPR) as stolen. This alerted Wiltshire Police who quickly followed the car into Melksham with the help of the Air Ambulance who was tracking the vehicle from the air.
The 26-year-old driver failed to stop for officers at the Countywide roundabout and headed toward Avon Tires, before abandoning the car by Victoria Motors on Old Broughton Road.
Officers continued on foot, and arrested him near the railway station at 9.25am. A Wiltshire Police officer at the scene said, “We believe the vehicle was stolen from Bristol this morning and the ANPR camera has brought it to our attention.
“The vehicle has failed to stop in a low-speed pursuit before it stopped here at Broughton Road. It’s been a successful job as we have recovered the vehicle and managed to find the suspect.
“I’d just like to thank the community who helped us find him by pointing out the direction he went and also the garage for providing CCTV so quickly.”
The man, who has no known address, was taken into custody at Melksham Police Station.
