A PAIR of thieves led police on a high-speed chase on Aberdeen streets before finally escaping.
The Land Rover Defender was stolen from outside a home in Aberdeen’s Thomson Street and hours later was used when a house in Monymusk near Kemnay was broken into.
Sports equipment, including golf gear and a variety of tools, were taken during the raid.
A police patrol car later gave chase after spotting the Land Rover on the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road near the Aberdeen Airport roundabout.
It was believed there were two people inside the 4x4, including the driver.
The 4x4 was pursued along the A96, round the Bucksburn and Haudagain roundabouts, then along streets in the Middlefield and Northfield areas.
It hurtled up Manor Drive, on to Manor Walk and then along Provost Rust Drive.
The driver mounted the pavement and drove across Northfield playing fields but disappeared from view on Cummings Park Drive as the officers couldn’t follow the Land Rover on to the grass.
Minutes later, the 4x4 was once more seen driving across the playing fields towards Kettlehills Road but again disappeared.
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS), in its guidance on off-road pursuits, says only vehicles designed for off-road driving could be used in such chases.
It was understood the officers involved in the pursuit were in a Ford Focus.
A police spokesman today said: “We will pursue every line of inquiry to trace those responsible.”
He added the Land Rover had not been recovered.
groberts@ajl.co.uk