Staff at a West Yorkshire motorcycle dealership have been sprayed with ammonia by balaclava-clad thieves who made off with a bike. In a rare success story, however, a police helicopter gave chase, two suspects were arrested and the bike recovered.
The staff suffered no signficant injuries.
The criminals struck on Friday at Wakefield Off-Road Motorcycles, spraying the corrosive liquid at staff who refused to give up, smashing the windows of the thieves’ black Vauxhall Vectra.
Then a police helicopter took over the pursuit, swooped in, and two suspects were arrested and the bike recovered.
Detectives are now appealing for information or witnesses to the incident at Church Street to come forward.
Detective Inspector Dave Watts, of Wakefield District CID, said: “The liquid used was found to be ammonia based but the victim and witnesses thankfully received no significant injuries.
“We are carrying out extensive enquiries into the incident and would like to hear from anyone who witnessed any part of it or who has any information that could assist the investigation.”