Two men and a teenager have been arrested after a burglary at a Benfleet sho and police pursuit.
Police were called at 2.35am this morning to reports of a break-in at the Co-Op Food store in Kiln Road.
Three men were then seen to leave the shop in a Ford Fiesta.
Officers, assisted by a police helicopter, carried out a search for the car, which was followed to Ardleigh in Laindon.
The occupants ran off but were arrested nearby.
A 29-year-old man from Basildon and a 17-year-old boy and a 20-year-old man both from Pitsea were arrested on suspicion of burglary and are currently in custody for questioning.
Witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary are asked to call Basildon CID on 101.
Alternatively, contact independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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