Dashcam shows robber, 22, arrested just 25 minutes after stealing van in high-speed chase

Watch: Dashcam shows robber arrested just 25 minutes after stealing van in high-speed chase

Dramatic dashcam video showed a van jacker being arrested after taking police on a 25-minute chase which involved him weaving between traffic and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Jackie O’Neill, 22, was spotted driving the white Citroen van in the early hours of 12 January.

Minutes earlier, he had pulled a delivery driver out of the vehicle in Linney Road, Leicester, before speeding off.

Police officers then caught up with O'Neill and pursued him as he drove dangerously on the road.

Footage shows O’Neill driving on the wrong side on a roundabout and narrowly missing an oncoming car.

He was finally cornered in a narrow street when he attempted to reverse ram a police car.

Officers then tackled him to the ground and arrested him for several offences.

At a hearing in March O’Neill, of Leicester, admitted robbery, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and driving without insurance.

On Wednesday, he was jailed for two years and 11 months at Leicester Crown Court.

Detective Constable Matthew Harburt, of Leicestershire Police, said: “The victim in this case was getting ready to go to work when O’Neill opened the door to the van, pulled him to the floor and drove off.

“He carried out a number of dangerous manoeuvres while being pursued by officers in a bid to avoid being caught.

“Even when he was surround he reversed the van into two police cars in one last attempt to escape.

“Luckily the victim in this incident was not injured and his vehicle was able to be returned to him.

“It is thanks to the efforts of the CCTV operators and the officers deployed to the incident that O’Neill was caught so quickly.

“I am pleased he has admitted his actions and has now been brought to justice.”