Suspected thieves caught on A46 near Newark in car loaded with groceries, clothes and cosmetics

Four suspected shop thieves have been arrested after caught travelling in a car loaded with a large amount of suspected stolen goods.

The car was travelling near Newark when it was flagged as a vehicle of interest and pulled over on the A46 at 9.15pm on Thursday, January 30.

Suspicions were soon confirmed when the vehicle — linked to other thefts elsewhere — was found to contain a significant quantity of suspected stolen groceries, clothes and cosmetics.

A specially adapted jacket with large pockets was also discovered during the search.

Four men, one aged 22 and the others aged 19, have been arrested on suspicion of theft.

Officers are now sorting through a large number of items in order to establish where they came from.

The car was also found to be uninsured and was seized.

Inspector Martin Cohen, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Some of the shop thefts committed in Nottinghamshire are carried out by professional gangs from home and abroad, who operate by car across the region.

“The car stopped on this occasion had been linked to similar offences in another force area and was immediately pulled over when it was identified.

“Unfortunately for those inside it was full of what we believe to be stolen goods.

“As our investigation into this matter continues, I hope this incident will serve as a warning to others thinking of committing similar offences to stay out of Nottinghamshire.”