Cheshire Police have released CCTV footage showing two men they wish to speak to in connection with the theft of approximately 70,000 pints of Guinness. The stout, equivalent to 800 barrels, was stolen from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire, on Monday, August 31.
The stolen beer has not yet been recovered, and no arrests have been made. The trailers used in the theft were later found abandoned in Lathom, Lancashire, approximately 30 miles from the depot.
The footage shows a white lorry arriving at the depot entrance. A man exits the driver's seat and appears to speak with someone at the gate before driving the vehicle onto the premises. Later that evening, a second lorry arrived, and a different man was seen liaising with a person at the entrance before entering the depot.
Detectives stated that one lorry and an HGV trailer left the site with the barrels, which were destined for pubs, at around 7:55 p.m. A second lorry arrived at 9:12 p.m., attached another trailer carrying Guinness, and departed 18 minutes later.
The stolen Guinness is valued at approximately £115,000. Diageo, the owner of Guinness, operates a packaging warehouse on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate where the theft occurred.
Detective Sergeant McClatchey urged anyone who recognizes the men in the footage to contact Cheshire Police. He also encouraged the men themselves to come forward. The force is appealing to the public for any information regarding the theft and is also asking anyone who has been approached to buy the stolen Guinness to report it.