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HUMAN MISSILE
Shocking moment a Samurai-sword wielding jewel thief falls from a speeding van during 80mph cop chase
The robbers were caught after the chase, sentenced to a total of almost 30 years jail
THE astonishing moment a jewellery thief falls out of a van during a high-speed chase with police has been caught in dramatic dashcam footage.
The chase, which reached dangerous speeds of 80mph, took place after four robbers - including one armed with a samurai sword - stole watches in a risky jewellery heist.
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The men, covering their faces in balaclavas, had forced a hole in the window of a jewellery store using the samurai sword and a drain grid cover, escaping in a getaway car.
Officers found the car used in the escape burnt out but were soon after involved in the terrifying car chase with the gang in a van.
The footage of the chase, which spanned over two counties, was released after the four men were sentenced to a total of almost 30 years jail for the robbery.
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Two police helicopters and 20 police officers were involved in the chase, which spanned 30 miles, after the July 27 robbery at Moodys Jewellers in Pillory Street, Nantwich.
The van swerved dangerously as it tried to avoid police along the M6, through Cannock and Penkridge before finally it was finally stopped near Stafford.
But it was when the van slowed, going around a roundabout the wrong way, that one of the robbers can be seen falling out onto the road.
The man who fell out of the van was taken to hospital, with officers in the car recording the dashcam footage continuing their pursuit.
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Police, including officers from Cheshire Police, North West Motorway Group, Central Motorway Police Group, West Midlands Motorway Group and Staffordshire Police, ended the chase after it became increasingly dangerous but caught up with the four men soon after.
Lewis Chalmers, 27, from Oswald Road in Chorlton Cum Hardy, Patrick David Massey, 26, Pegwell Drive, Salford, Darren James McAndrew, 32, Edlington Walk, Newton Heath and Joseph Anthony Schofield, 20, from Dob Brook Close in Manchester appeared at Warrington Crown Court on 21 November 2016 to be sentenced.
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All defendants pleaded guilty to robbery.
Chalmers, Massey and McAndrew pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.
Schofield pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.
Schofield, Chalmers and Massey pleaded guilty to two count of affray.
Both Chalmers and Massey were sentenced to nine years jail.
McAndrew was given eight years and Schofield was given 48 months for their part in the robbery.
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DC Craig Stevens of Cheshire Police said: "This is a great result and highlights that we are effectively borderless.
"No matter where you run, we will work together to capture you and bring you before the courts. I'd like to thank everyone for helping to put these dangerous men behind bars."
Constable Nicholas James of the Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said: "We pride ourselves in working quickly and efficiently together with other neighbouring forces in order to bring those responsible for criminal activities to justice.
"It was a complicated and fast moving situation that had a positive safe outcome. The professionalism of all officers in this incident was commendable."
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