THE owner of a stolen van got his vehicle back after calling 999 while following the thieves.

The van was stolen from Kingswinford on Friday (June 18) with the quick-thinking owner following it and calling police.

He lost sight of the vehicle and officers from C team response, based at Brierley Hill police station, took over the chase.

They found the van, which had crashed with another vehicle, in Dudley.

A police spokesman said: "We pursued the van until the driver decided to try his luck on foot.

"He ran into gardens and we contained the area with multiple officers to prevent his escape.

"We located him hiding and arrested him on suspicion of theft of motor vehicle.

"The van has now been recovered to be returned to the owner."