Two HGV trailers that were used in the theft of more than 70,000 pints of Guinness have been located by authorities. The 800 barrels of stout, valued at an estimated $115,000, were stolen from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire, last Monday and have yet to be recovered.
Police discovered the trailers approximately 30 miles from the theft site. One was found abandoned in the Hall Lane area of Lathom, Lancashire, around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, while the second was discovered on Gillibrands Road shortly after midday on Wednesday.
Cheshire Constabulary is appealing for the public's assistance, urging anyone who has been approached to purchase the stolen Guinness or has information regarding the missing beer to come forward. Residents in Skelmersdale are also encouraged to report any relevant details.
Authorities reported that the theft involved a lorry and an HGV trailer leaving the site with the barrels around 7:55 p.m. A second lorry arrived later that evening, attaching another trailer filled with Guinness before departing 18 minutes later.
Investigators believe one of the HGVs involved may have pulled in front of a silver or white Renault Captur, reportedly driven by a learner driver, after disposing of the second trailer. The drivers of the HGVs used in the transport are believed to be men, with one described as white with a short dark beard and wearing a beanie, and the second possibly wearing a cap.
Diageo, the owner of Guinness, operates a packaging warehouse on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate on the Runcorn outskirts. Detective Sergeant McClatchy stated that inquiries are underway to identify those responsible and to recover all stolen items. He also appealed to motorists who were in the area at the time of the incidents to review any dashcam footage that might aid the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cheshire Police via their website or by calling 101, referencing incident number IML-2408641.