Officers gave chase in Yardley, Birmingham, and detained three men on suspicion of theft

This article is more than 4 years old

This article is more than 4 years old

Three men are being questioned on suspicion of theft after police spotted three sheep being transported through a suburban area in the back of a people carrier.

West Midlands police said officers on patrol spotted the Ford Galaxy’s unusual cargo in Hob Moor Road in Yardley, Birmingham, in the early hours of Tuesday.

After a pursuit, the Galaxy hit a parked car and three men abandoned the vehicle, leaving the lambs in the boot, a police spokesman said.

Officers tracked down three suspects after a search of nearby gardens. One was found up a tree and another was in a conservatory.

Police said three male Romanian nationals aged 22, 27 and 28 were in custody on suspicion of theft. The three lambs have been rehomed at a farm in Sheldon as officers attempt to trace their owners.

West Midlands Police (@WMPolice) Sheep rustling suspects behind baa-rs after police chase! https://t.co/RIiWKOn1RM pic.twitter.com/a3bqJ9Tmai

Inspector Paul Southern said: “It’s not every day we recover live stolen property, but the lambs seem none the worse for their adventure. We are now trying to trace where they came from and are asking farmers to check their flocks to see if they have any missing.”

Anyone with information to help trace the owner should call police on 101.