North Yorkshire Police say two men were arrested after a car fire in Cononley on Tuesday morning.
Officers received a call in the early hours reporting that a car had crashed into railings in the village, causing extensive damage, before driving off.
A trail of oil coming from the vehicle allowed it to be tracked a short distance away, where – at about 1.20am – officers discovered the black Mazda 2 car abandoned and on fire.
The police helicopter was called in and used thermal imaging equipment to search the area. Meanwhile, officers on the ground began their own enquiries, which soon led them to two male suspects who had been seen nearby in suspicious circumstances.
The two suspects, aged 18 and 19, were both arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, driving without insurance, failing to stop after a collision and failing to report a collision. The 19-year-old was searched and found to have a bag of white powder, and was also arrested on suspicion of possessing class A drugs.
The car was destroyed in the fire - officers say enquiries are ongoing to establish where it came from.

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