County Police said that at 5.42pm on Thursday, January 2nd, a blue Ford Fiesta was spotted heading north on the A1(M) near Tadcaster and was alerted by West Yorkshire Police's control room.
The car had been reported stolen to South Yorkshire Police after it was taken from outside a social club in Barnsley between 9pm and 9.45pm on New Year's Eve.
A police spokesperson said: “Officers from the Operational Support Unit followed the vehicle on the A1(M) in Boroughbridge. The vehicle was unable to stop and left the motorway near Leeming Bar.”
“A tactical pursuit was authorized as the vehicle continued towards Bedale.
“The suspect abandoned the vehicle near the river in Bedale around 6:15 p.m.
“He walked across the river and disappeared into the bushes near some farms.
“The dog unit then arrived to lead the search.
“A police dog quickly located the suspect hiding in the undergrowth and he was arrested at 6:28 p.m.
“As well as the stolen vehicle, he was also arrested for failing to stop for police, dangerous driving, disqualified driving, driving without insurance and drink driving after failing a roadside breath test.
“A 34-year-old man from the Ashington area of Northumberland has been detained for questioning. We are assisting South Yorkshire Police with their ongoing investigation.
“We were very happy to inform the owner of the stolen vehicle that it was successfully recovered in North York.”
