Stolen Audi Flips onto Roof at Spaghetti Junction Following High-Speed Police Pursuit
Two teenage boys have been arrested on suspicion of stealing an Audi and driving dangerously after a dramatic high-speed police chase across Birmingham ended with the vehicle flipping onto its roof at Spaghetti Junction.
Dangerous Pursuit Across the City
The incident began when the Audi Q2 SUV was stolen in a car key burglary on Sunday, March 1. Later that night, officers spotted the vehicle heading towards Yardley Wood while displaying false license plates. Police attempted to stop the car, but the driver refused to pull over, initiating a pursuit.
With assistance from the National Police Air Service helicopter, police chased the Audi as it recklessly navigated through Birmingham. The driver was reported to have reached speeds of 70mph in 30mph zones and exceeded 100mph on multiple occasions, also running red lights during the chase.
Crash at Salford Circus
The pursuit came to a dramatic end just after 1am at Salford Circus, the roundabout located at the base of Spaghetti Junction in the Gravelly Hill area of Erdington. The Audi crashed and landed on its roof. Three individuals were inside the vehicle at the time of the crash.
With support from the police dog unit, officers quickly detained two teenage boys. One was apprehended at a nearby petrol station, while a second was found hiding in bushes not far from the crash site. A third person managed to flee the scene and remains at large.
Police Investigation and Arrests
The two arrested teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were taken into police custody on suspicion of dangerous driving, burglary, and failing to stop for police. They remained in custody as investigations continued into the incident.
A spokesperson for West Midlands Police provided details of the chase, stating: "Acting on intelligence from a car owner whose Audi Q2 had been stolen earlier yesterday, it was spotted on false plates by officers heading towards Yardley Wood late last night. It failed to stop for officers and was seen to hit speeds of up to 70mph as it was driven through 30mph zones."
The spokesperson added: "With support from the police helicopter, it was pursued by our specialist traffic officers. It was driven along the wrong side of a dual carriageway, at times hitting speeds of more than 100mph and going through red traffic lights, before it crashed at Salford Circus, landing on its roof."
Ongoing Efforts Against Vehicle Crime
West Midlands Police emphasized their commitment to tackling vehicle crime, noting that car key burglaries are particularly disruptive for victims. The police statement concluded: "We know vehicle crime and car key burglaries are upsetting and disruptive for those who are the victim of it and tackling vehicle crime remains a priority across the West Midlands. Our officers are working hard to identify and detain anyone involved in committing such crimes."
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this incident to contact West Midlands Police by calling 101 or using the live chat feature on their website, quoting reference number 20/163542/26.
