Twelve arrested over A66 wrong-way crash that killed 2 cops & 5 joyriders – as police probe second car ‘ramming homes’

TWELVE people have been arrested over the horror crash that killed two cops and 5 joyriders with police probing a second car “ramming homes”. The shocking smash saw a Volkswagen Passat crash into a cop car while driving in the wrong direction on the A66, killing PC Matthew Blades, 37, and PC Tom Clough, 38. Emergency services at the scene on the A66 in South Bank Credit: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire The five young men in the Passat, who also died, were named as Michael Robert Cahill, 23, Theo Rae, 17, Cole Robert Worthy, 17, Jacob Matusiak, 23, and Makai Saddington, 18. Cleveland Police said today that four of those killed in the vehicle – Worthy , Matusiak, Saddington and Rae – which hit the cop car had previous police convictions. Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Now, cops have also confirmed that nine men and three women aged between 19 and 61, have been arrested on suspicion of several offences. These range from possession of a firearm to participating in the activities of an organised crime group. Some of those arrested over the A66 investigation are suspected of “participating in the activities of an organised crime group” Cleveland Police added. Cops are continuing to investigate the moments leading up to the fatal smash on Saturday. In the early hours of Saturday 22 August, police received several reports of two vehicles being driven dangerously. The first vehicle, which is believed to be a Volvo XC60, was witnessed to be ramming properties in the Middlesbrough area. Most read in The Sun Floral tributes have been laid at Cleveland Police HQ for the two dead officers Credit: PA Dozens of flowers and cards were left for the two tragic cops Credit: PA The second vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat, is believed to have been associated with the activities of the Volvo XC60. The Volvo XC60 involved in the initial reports has been traced and recovered in Middlesbrough as part of the criminal investigation. Cleveland Police believes the Passat was being driven with cloned number plates and had been linked to several suspicious incidents. And just moments before the horrifying fatal smash, officers had been chasing the car in a highspeed pursuit for seven minutes through residential streets. PC Matthew Blades’ (pictured) wife has paid a touching tribute to her husband Credit: Cleveland Police PC Tom Clough tragically died in the horror collision Credit: PA Ring doorbell footage captured it being driven at speed through streets in Middlesbrough at around 3.36am. Cops called off the pursuit when the Passat went on to the A66 because it had begun travelling the wrong way down the road. But just ten seconds later, the car slammed into a different marked police vehicle travelling correctly on the A66. Cleveland police have also said there is no evidence to indicate that filming of the activities that took place on Friday night and Saturday morning has taken place for the purposes of TikTok. Assistant Chief Constable Wayne Fox, responsible for the strategic leadership of the investigation, said: “This has been a fast moving and complex investigation, with significant links to serious and organised criminal activity. “The events of that tragic night will have a lasting and profound impact on the Cleveland area and the communities we seek to protect. “We have a duty to respond to, and thoroughly investigate, the serious criminal activity that resulted in this fatal incident, and to bring all those responsible to justice. “Our robust response will continue in the weeks and months to come, as we continue to tackle those that seek to cause harm to our communities and tackle serious and organised crime.’ “Officers and staff across Cleveland have shown incredible resilience in continuing their work in the face of tragedy. “Two of their colleagues lost their lives while serving the people of Cleveland and, while the impact will be felt by our people for a long time to come, they have continued to act with the upmost professionalism. “I am also extremely grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive, from the public of Cleveland and our wider police family.”