A crook used a stolen car to raid a gas station, steal goods, and lead police in a high-speed chase before being caught.
Hours later, police saw Coakley driving in Ashington. A car chase then started as he sped away. Coakley went over 100 mph on several roads in the area. He lost control and stopped by a wall.
He tried to run and hide nearby, but police found and arrested him. The stolen items were inside the car. The court learned about these details. Coakley got 52 weeks in jail after admitting to dangerous driving and burglary, among other charges.
The VW Golf he drove was stolen earlier during a house burglary in Northumberland weeks before. Coakley admitted receiving stolen goods.
CCTV showed Coakley and someone else driving to the gas station late at night. They broke into the store and stole cigarettes and whiskey. The police knew about this theft and the stolen car. An officer saw the car later.
The car chase followed, and Coakley drove very fast, according to the officer. He eventually crashed near a wall and ran away. Police found him hiding in a garden. They also found the stolen goods in the car. Coakley has a long record of theft offenses.