POLICE are hunting a gang who used a stolen car in a crime spree stretching hundreds of kilometres from Tamworth to Gunnedah and Werris Creek.
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The grey Nissan Navara failed to pay for 57 litres of diesel at Coles Express on Goonoo Goonoo Road about 3am on Thursday.
They then fled to Gunnedah and used a sledgehammer to break into a butcher in Little Connadilly Street about 4am.
They stole a cash register before fleeing and targeting a general store in Curlewis about 4.30am, making off with cigarettes and a cash register
Offenders tried to break into a Chinese restaurant in Werris Creek shortly after, but were disturbed.
Police suspect the break-ins are linked after the stolen ute was sighted at all three break-ins. Officers spotted the late-model dual-cab ute on Duri Rd, near Tamworth, about 5.30am.
But police terminated the chase just a few minutes later about 5.30am because of the speed and dangerous driving of the vehicle.
It was last seen on Burgmanns Lane, outside of Tamworth.
The ute was reported stolen from The Grange in South Tamworth on November 6.
Police are investigating reports four people were inside and are calling for anyone with information on the break-ins or who might have seen the ute to contact Tamworth police on 6768 2999.