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Police search for lorry hijackers Armed kidnap gang in lorry hijack
(40 minutes later)
North Wales Police are hunting a gang of robbers who stole a lorry heading to a Flintshire sportswear factory, after threatening the driver. An armed and hooded gang have hijacked a lorry carrying sportswear, and threatened and kidnapped the driver after forcing him into another vehicle.
The incident happened at around 8.00 GMT on Wednesday at Deeside Industrial Estate, as the vehicle was making its way to the Umbro clothing site. The driver was released an hour later 40 miles (64km) away, and the lorry was found burnt out, its load missing.
The driver was taken against his will and released in the Wigan area. North Wales Police are hunting the robbers, who struck at about 0800 GMT on the Deeside Industrial Estate.
The lorry was later found abandoned and burnt out, minus its load in St Helens. Police are appealing for witnesses. The shocked but unhurt driver was freed in Wigan, Lancs, and the burnt-out lorry found in St Helens, Merseyside.
The vehicle was making its way to the Umbro clothing factory when it stopped.
The lorry, a black Volvo FH12 Sleeper cab, with Ray Stewart Haulage on the sides written in gold and silver, was attacked by three people, all believed to be male, wearing balaclavas.
Windows smashed
Police said one of the men was believed to have had a gun.
The cab windows were smashed and the driver was forced into a black people carrier-type vehicle.
When he was released at about 0900 GMT he made his way to a police station in the Wigan area.
Sgt Craig Turner, who is leading the investigation on behalf of North Wales Police, said: "The driver was uninjured, but very shocked.
"Deeside Industrial Estate is a busy area, especially at this time of the morning, and we are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the vehicle or noticed anything suspicious."
Inquiries are involving both Greater Manchester and Merseyside Police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Mold CID on 101, if you are calling from Wales, 0845 607 1001 (Welsh line), 0845 607 1002 (English line) or Crimestoppers Wales anonymously on 0800 555 111.