A CAR thief abandoned a stolen vehicle in Chester and ran away to evade capture by police – then stole another car an hour later.

A police helicopter was dispatched to track the man down following the collision at the Hoole roundabout on Sunday.

Despite hovering above Vicar’s Cross for 40 minutes, the offender got away.

Cheshire Constabulary spokesman George Perfitt said: “At about midday on Sunday, July 22, police responded to a two-car collision at Hoole roundabout on Green Lane,Vicars Cross.

“The incident involved an orange BMW and silver Audi. The Audi had been reported stolen from Oswestry on July 16.

“The driver of the Audi fled the scene and then at about 1pm is believed to have stolen a dark bronze Ford Fiesta from Barkhill Road, Vicars Cross.

“Efforts were made to trace the offender by air and on foot but were unsuccessful.

“The driver of the BMW, a male, was treated in hospital for minor injuries.”

Anyone with information which may help police with their enquiries should call them on 101.