THIS footage shows the dramatic moment police stopped and arrested two people driving into Basingstoke on suspicion of stealing a vehicle.

A member of the public shared the footage captured on his dash cam on Monday, June 13 at 8.55pm.

Joseph Vitale was travelling on the M3 at the time and came off at Junction 6 to Basingstoke when he came across a slow-moving traffic jam.

“We initially thought [it] was a car accident as we could see flashing lights ahead,” said Joseph.

However, he was shocked to suddenly see two vehicles racing past his car, adding: “There was no sign of an accident when we reached the point where the lights were, making us think the police had set up a rolling road-block to give themselves time to set up for their operation.”

He witnessed police using spike stripes to stop a car, before blocking another one with an unmarked vehicle.

“It was like an ambush rather than a police chase or pursuit,” he said, adding: “The men arrested seemed very surprised that the police were there.”

Joseph praised the police for their actions, saying: “The whole arrest happened very quickly and was very well coordinated by the police. Although it took us by surprise, we could tell they had the whole thing under control.”

Hampshire Constabulary said it was called just after 8pm on June 13 to a report of a vehicle having been stolen from an address in Waterhouse Lane, Southampton.

The Mercedes 350DD was tracked driving north on the M3 and stopped just after leaving the motorway at Junction 6 for Basingstoke.

A statement from the police said: “A 31-year-old man and 16-year-old boy, both from London, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle. They have been released under investigation and enquiries are ongoing.”

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