Police have recovered two trailers stolen in a major Guinness theft in England, but the beer they were carrying has yet to be found.
The trailers were discovered approximately 30 miles from Runcorn, with Lancashire Constabulary locating both units around Lathom in Skelmersdale. According to investigators, the missing load consists of around 880 barrels of Guinness with an estimated value of £115,000, equivalent to approximately $155,000.
Cheshire Constabulary has confirmed that no arrests have been made in connection with the case.
Investigators established that the first trailer had been abandoned near Hall Lane at around 3:05 a.m. Tuesday. The second was subsequently found near Gillibrands Road at approximately 12:07 p.m. Wednesday.
Police believe the truck transporting the second trailer pulled out in front of a silver or white Renault Captur at the time. The Renault was being driven by a student, accompanied by a driving instructor.
Police Appeal for Student Driver and Information on Possible Resale
Detectives are now looking to speak with both occupants of the Renault Captur, as their encounter with the truck could provide important information for the investigation.
Officers are also appealing to residents in Skelmersdale who may have noticed suspicious activity around either location where the trailers were found.
Authorities are particularly interested in reports from businesses that may have received unexpected offers to purchase Guinness in bulk. Investigators believe the stolen beer could be moved through black-market resale channels.
Detective Sergeant McClatchey welcomed the recovery of the trailers but emphasized that the investigation is far from over.
“These kegs are stolen goods that are being sold on by black market criminals,” McClatchey said.
Police are urging anyone who has concerns about the origin of Guinness being offered for sale to contact the authorities. Information can be provided by calling 101 and quoting incident number IML-2408641.
The Theft Began With Two Rapid Trailer Pickups
The theft dates back to Aug. 31, when the criminals targeted an industrial estate on Aston Lane.
The first truck arrived at the site at approximately 7:45 p.m. Its driver connected to a loaded trailer before leaving roughly 10 minutes later. The vehicle then headed in the direction of the Mersey Gateway.
A second truck arrived at around 9:12 p.m. and departed approximately 18 minutes later, traveling toward Rainhill and Watkinson Way.
Both stolen trailers were carrying Guinness and displayed GXO branding.
Police initially estimated the total value of the stolen property at £205,000, or approximately $277,000. Guinness itself represented £115,000, equivalent to around $155,000.
Despite the GXO branding displayed on the trailers, neither unit was under GXO’s control, management or supervision at the time of the theft.
Police have not identified either of the drivers involved. Investigators described one suspect as a white man with a short, dark beard who was wearing a beanie. The second suspect was described as wearing a cap.
The public appeal does not identify the trucks arriving at the site, their owners or the method allegedly used by the drivers to gain access to the trailers.
Why It Matters
The case highlights a recurring challenge in freight crime: recovering the equipment does not necessarily mean recovering the cargo.
Once stolen freight has been removed from a trailer, criminals can quickly move it into resale networks or other channels before investigators locate the abandoned equipment. In this case, police have recovered both trailers, but hundreds of barrels of Guinness worth an estimated £115,000 remain unaccounted for.
The investigation therefore continues, with police seeking information that could help trace the missing beer and identify those responsible for the theft.
