A66 crash investigation sees extra arrests, together with boy, 16, after seven killed

Cleveland Police have confirmed five further arrests have been made in connection with their investigation into the A66 that saw two police officers and five males killed

Five more people, including a 16-year-old boy, have been arrested by detectives investigating the events leading up to the crash on the A66 which left two police officers and five others dead, Cleveland Police said.

Pc Matthew Blades, 37, and Pc Tom Clough, 38, were killed when a Volkswagen Passat, which had been pursued by police, was driven the wrong way along a dual carriageway near Middlesbrough and hit their marked armed response vehicle.

The five people travelling in the Volkswagen, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Theo Rae, 17, Makai Saddington, 18, and 23-year-olds Michael Robert Cahill and Jacob Matusiak, were pronounced dead at the scene at South Bank, early on Saturday (August 23).

Four of the five young men in the car had previous criminal convictions, and were believed to be associated with another car which was seen ramming properties earlier that morning.

Overnight officers continued to “disrupt those suspected of being involved in serious and organised crime” with five further arrests, taking the total to 17, the force confirmed.

The activity has been led by Cleveland Police and supported by the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the North East Regional Organised Crime Unit (NEROCU).

These arrests come just a day after 12 people were arrested yesterday (Monday 24 August). One of those, 19-year-old Kai Beattie, from Redcar, was charged with possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and has appeared at Teesside Magistrates Court on Tuesday 25 August.

Cameron George, 26, from Redcar, was also charged with possession with intent to supply class A and class B drugs and possession of criminal property and has been remanded in custody until he appears at Teesside Crown Court on Monday 21 September.

The latest arrests include a 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group, an 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group, a 21-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of participate in an organised crime group, a55-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and a 23-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill.

Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: “This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity.

“The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect.

“We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice.

“Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.’

“Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy.

“Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism.

“I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”

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