POLICE have arrested a man after a suspected stolen car flipped on to its roof at a roundabout after being chased by police along the A27.
Police were made aware of the theft of a white Toyota Yaris in Littlehampton shortly after 8.30am, and spotted the car travelling along the A27 towards Fontwell shortly afterwards.
A police chase ensued, with the hatchback eventually coming to a stop when it smashed into another car and rolled on to its roof near Chichester.
After spotting the vehicle on the A27, police had signalled for the driver to pull over, but he had failed to do so. Officers gave chase, pursuing the car for more than five miles as it made its way towards Chichester.
But, as it tried to navigate the Portfield roundabout to the east of the city, the Toyota struck another car and flipped on to its roof. The impact caused severe damage to the front of the car, with the bumper left crumpled and misshapen.
Police fire and ambulance crews were all called to the scene and the road was closed. The Toyota was removed from the road on the back of a lorry and the driver of the car was taken to hospital to be checked over. He has now been taken into custody.
The driver of the second car involved in the crash was uninjured.
A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "Police became aware of a suspected stolen vehicle in Littlehampton shortly after 8.30am on Monday. The vehicle – a white Toyota Yaris - was sighted travelling westbound on the A27 towards Fontwell.
"When police signalled for the vehicle to stop, it failed to do so and a pursuit ensued. The car was in collision with a second vehicle on the Portfield roundabout around 8.45am, which brought it to a stop.
"One man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and theft. He was taken to hospital to be checked over, before being taken into custody. The member of the public in the second vehicle was not injured.
"Anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw a white Toyota Yaris being driven in the area around that time, is asked to contact police online or by calling 101 quoting serial 197 of 15/03."
The road was shut for about two hours with queueing traffic in the surrounding area as a result. It was reopened at about 11am.
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