Guinness heist mystery deepens as trailers found 30 miles away after 800 barrels nicked

It is understood that the thirsty burglars pulled up in lorries alongside two HGV trailers loaded with the black stuff, unloaded more than 800 barrels, and made off.

The trailers used in the theft have since been found in Skelmersdale, around 30 miles (48km) from where they were stolen, police said.

About 70,000 pints of Guinness, worth an estimated £115,000 (€133,887), were taken from Whitehouse Industrial Estate on Aston Lane in Runcorn on 31 August, Cheshire Police said.

One wagon-load was stolen at about 19:45 BST, with a second taken at around 21:30.

Authorities are now asking for witnesses and possible dashcam footage of the event to help them find out who was behind the film-like robbery. 

They have stressed that anyone around the Aston Lane area of Runcorn, Cheshire on Monday the 31st of August may have witnessed the getaway lorry heading towards the Mersey Gateway at roughly 7:55 pm. 

The trailers have been described as white tri-axle curtain-side trailers, decorated with GXO company logos on their curtains and rear doors. The two vehicles are both believed to have been driven by men. 

Both trailers have now been recovered in Skelmersdale, Lancashire, although the stolen barrels have not yet been found and no arrests have been made, police said.

The barrels, which hold about 88 pints each and were destined for pubs, are still missing, with Lancashire Police appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Speaking on the robbery, Detective Sergeant McClatchy stressed: ‘It is famously said that “Guinness is good for you”, but that is only the case when it has been bought and paid for.

‘It is with this in mind that we have wasted no time in launching inquiries to identify those responsible for the theft of £115,000 (€133,887) worth of Guinness and the two trailers that housed the barrels – we will settle for nothing less than the full recovery of all the items stolen. 

‘We are now appealing to anyone who has any information in relation to the theft to please come forward and speak to officers,’ he continued. 

The detective later added: ‘We would also ask any motorists who were driving in the area at the time of either of the incidents to please review any dashcam footage to see if you have captured anything that could aid our investigation.’ 

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.