£5m worth of Apple products stolen on M1 after lorry driver tied up

Northamptonshire Police are appealing for information after 48 pallets of Apple goods were stolen

Northamptonshire Police said they are appealing for information after the incident (stock image) (Getty Images)

A lorry driver and a security guard were targeted and tied up by thieves who then stole £5 million worth of Apple products from their cargo.

Northamptonshire Police said the robbery took place at the southbound slip road at Junction 18 of the M1, between 7.45pm and 8pm on Tuesday 10 November.

The lorry was driven to Eldon Close in Crick, a village in Northamptonshire, where the suspects transferred the trailer on to a truck which was waiting for them and then drove off, leaving the lorry driver and security guard behind.

The truck was later found across the county border in Lutterworth, Leicestershire.

Detectives said they believe that in Leicestershire, a total of 48 pallets worth of Apple goods were placed into a third vehicle and driven away.

They have not revealed what products were loaded into the pallets.

The force is appealing for information from motorists and witnesses who may have seen a number of vehicles which could have looked “out of place” on the slip road at Junction 18 between the stated times.

It is also keen to speak to people who also have dash-cam footage of the area.

A statement from Northamptonshire Police said: “Officers would also like to speak to anyone who may have been offered any Apple products for sale in unusual circumstances, or who knows of anyone who is selling such items at low-cost prices.”

Last week, Apple announced a new 13-inch MacBook Pro that includes its own “M1” chip, which means that the computer is much faster without adding any extra thermal or power requirements.

The laptop is on sale now and prices range from £1,299 to £1,999 without any modifications (which cost extra depending on what you choose). Added upgrades mean that your laptop could end up costing more than £4,000. Its 16-inch laptops start cost £2,399 or £2,799, without modifications. 

 In October, its latest version of its iPhone, the iPhone 12, went on sale. The iPhone 12 costs £699 for just the handset while the iPhone 12 Pro costs £999.

Other popular Apple products, including its wireless earphones called AirPods, can cost up to £249.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed this incident is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting reference number 20000595599. Or alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.