Helmet-less theft suspect killed

A suspected thief who police refused to pursue because he was not wearing a helmet has been killed in a crash.

Bobby Carl Hodgkins was suspected of being one of three helmet-less thieves who escaped from police following a raid on a bike shop in Manchester last month.

Officers watched the suspects ride away on a stolen Yamaha R1 and Honda Fireblade and CBR600 because it was deemed too risky to pursue them.

Hodgkins was also not wearing a helmet when he collided with a van on Saturday. He suffered head injuries and died later in hospital. The 24-year-old had been riding a Kawasaki 450 stolen during a burglary on August 26.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash, on Greenbrow Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester.