Police have recovered two HGV trailers that were used in the theft of more than 70,000 pints of Guinness from a depot in Runcorn, Cheshire. The 800 barrels of stout, valued at approximately £115,000, remain missing.
The trailers were discovered abandoned in Lancashire, about 30 miles from the site of the theft. One trailer was found in Lathom around 3 a.m. last Tuesday, and the second was located on Gillibrands Road the following day. The heist occurred last Monday evening, with a lorry and trailer leaving the depot around 7:55 p.m., followed by a second lorry and trailer departing at 9:30 p.m.
Cheshire Constabulary is appealing to the public for information, urging anyone who has been approached to buy the stolen Guinness or who has any details about the missing barrels to come forward. Detectives are also asking motorists who were driving in the Runcorn area on the night of the theft to review any dashcam footage that might assist the investigation.
Investigators believe the HGVs involved were driven by men. One suspect is described as white with a short dark beard and wearing a beanie, while the second is believed to have been wearing a cap. Police also noted that one of the HGVs may have pulled out in front of a silver or white Renault Captur driven by a learner driver after disposing of the second trailer.
Diageo, the owner of Guinness, operates a packaging warehouse on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate on the outskirts of Runcorn. Detective Sergeant McClatchy emphasized the police's commitment to recovering all stolen items and identifying those responsible for the theft.