Driver tied up by hijackers stealing £5m lorry-load of Apple gear on M1 in Northamptonshire
Truck driven half-a-mile to industrial estate after being stopped on slip road near Crick
Crooks hijacked a lorry and stole tech equipment worth £5million on a motorway slip road in Northamptonshire.
Detectives revealed the truck driver and a security guard were tied up after being halted on the M1.
They were then driven about half-a-mile to an industrial estate in Crick where thieves unhooked the trailer and attached it to a second truck — later discovered abandoned in Leicestershire.
Police believe the 48 pallets of Apple products were transferred onto a THIRD vehicle before the thieves made their getaway.
A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: "The vehicle was stopped on the southbound exit slip road at Junction 18 of the M1, between 7.45pm and 8pm on November 10.
"Both the lorry driver and security guard were tied up before the vehicle was driven to Eldon Close in Crick, where the offenders transferred the trailer on to a truck they had waiting.
"They drove off leaving the lorry driver and security guard behind.
"The second truck was later found across the county border in Lutterworth where it is believed the offenders transferred the 48 pallets of Apple products into a third vehicle."
Police today launched an appeal for witness, saying they would would like to speak to anyone who may have seen a number of vehicles on the slip road at Junction 18 last Tuesday night or who may have dash-cam footage of this area.
They would also like to hear from anyone who may have been offered any Apple products for sale in unusual circumstances, or who knows of anyone who is selling such items at low-cost prices.
Anyone with information or who may have witnessed the hijack can call Northants Police on 101 using reference number 20000595599. Or, anyone with information who wishes to remain anonymous can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.