FIVE men were arrested on the M42 this morning (Friday) on suspicion of vehicle theft and burglary, with a road closure put in place.
A heavy goods vehicle on cloned plates failed to stop for Central Motorway Police around 10am heading northbound, and the lorry was stung just before junction 7 with front tyres left deflated.
It carried on but a further stinger deployed just before junction 9 deflated the rear tyres.
The vehicle exited the motorway before driving the wrong way down the southbound exit slip road.
The HGV rammed a police vehicle and hit several other cars, leaving an officer with suspected broken ribs.
Eventually, the vehicle came to a stop blocking the slip road and the driver ran off along the motorway.
He was swiftly detained with the help of the police helicopter and four other men in the truck were arrested, one passenger and three in the rear.
Police also found 200 crates of stolen spirits, while one of the men required hospital treatment for injuries sustained when they came to a stop.
The HGV has been seized for forensic examination and the motorway has since reopened.
All five men, aged 22 to 40, remain in custody and will be questioned in due course.
Officers from the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Staffordshire worked to arrest the men.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson said the incident was a dangerous action with complete disregard to other road users.
