Cheshire Police have released CCTV footage of two men they wish to speak to in connection with the theft of approximately 70,400 pints of Guinness from a Runcorn depot. The theft occurred on Monday, August 31, and the 800 barrels of stout have not yet been recovered. No arrests have been made.
The footage shows two separate incidents on the evening of the theft. In the first clip, a white lorry arrives at the depot entrance. A man exits the driver's seat, appears to speak with someone at the gate, and is then allowed to drive onto the site. Later that evening, a second clip shows a different man arriving in another lorry, engaging in a similar interaction at the gate before entering the depot.
Detectives stated that one lorry and an HGV trailer left the site with the stolen barrels 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 stout is estimated to be worth approximately £115,000.
The two trailers were later found abandoned in Lathom, near Skelmersdale, Lancashire, about 30 miles from the scene of the theft. Diageo, the owner of Guinness, has a packaging warehouse on the Whitehouse Industrial Estate in Runcorn.
Detective Sergeant McClatchey urged anyone who recognizes the men in the CCTV footage to contact Cheshire Police. The force is also appealing for information from anyone who may have been approached to purchase the stolen Guinness, emphasizing that the kegs are considered stolen goods being sold by criminals. "I'd urge anyone who recognises these men to contact us so that we can progress with our investigation and I would also strongly encourage the men in the footage to please come forward," McClatchey said. Residents in Skelmersdale who may have information about the missing Guinness were also encouraged to get in touch.
