TWO males travelling in a stolen van abandoned the vehicle and plunged into the Manchester Ship Canal in Warrington last night in a bid to escape pursuing police officers.
Officers who had been attempting to stop a white van on Chester Road, subsequently arrested a man and a 15-year-old boy who were found in the ship canal.
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “At around 8.20pm on Thursday, August 26, officers attempted to stop a white panel van on Chester Road.
“The driver failed to stop and made off from the scene before abandoning the vehicle on Old Chester Road.
“Officers conducted a search of the area and subsequently arrested a men and a teenage boy, both of whom were found in the Manchester Ship Canal.
“The man, from Bradford, and the 15-year-old boy, from Salford, were both arrested on suspicion of a number of offences – Including dangerous driving, failing to stop for officers, theft of a motor vehicle and possession of an offensive weapon.”