Brick-throwing thieves evade police after shop raid

Officers were called to the burglary in progress at McColls, on Rotherham Road in Great Houghton, at around 11.20pm.

When they saw suspects escaping in a silver BMW 1 Series, pursuit drivers were called to the area.

Officers in one responding vehicle saw the getaway car on the B6089 Stubbin Road, heading towards Rawmarsh.

A chase began, in which BMW occupants threw bricks, bottles and a claw hammer at the pursuing police car.

The BMW was abandoned on Clay Pit Lane, Rawmarsh, where four offenders escaped despite efforts by a police dog-handlers and helicopter crew.

The stolen BMW, containing a large amount of tobacco and alcohol, was recovered for forensic examination.

Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident 1082 of October 20.