A POLICE dog helped catch two suspected thieves after they tried to out-run officers by abandoning their vehicle and running across a field. 

Shortly before 8am on Wednesday, police received reports of men spotted stealing batteries from a commercial garage in Northallerton.

The quick-thinking reportee was able to provide the registration number of the vehicle in which the men had left the scene and it was soon identified by officers travelling between the A19 and Hutton Rudby.

A pursuit followed, before the driver and passenger abandoned the vehicle and made off across a nearby field.

Officers were able to contain the area whilst calls were made for aerial support from the police helicopter and the dog unit.

A keen-nosed police dog was able to track the suspects to two separate addresses near Hutton Rudby where they were arrested on suspicion of theft.

Following a search, several stolen batteries were recovered, as well as a quantity of cash at one of the properties and in the field through which they had run from the vehicle.

A 20-year-old man from Hutton Rudby and a 26-year-old man from Stokesley were arrested.

Both men were interviewed and have been released under investigation.