POLICE are hot on the trail of thieves who nicked 2,500 pies left in a van — after the savoury treats were recovered.
Michelin-star chef Tommy Banks had called for help after the vehicle full of grub — and 100 litres of gravy — was pinched from an industrial estate last week.
He yesterday confirmed cops had found the van with the food still inside — but beyond saving.
The restaurant owner said on Instagram: “Unfortunately, all of the pies are damaged as well so the whole thing’s a total write off, which is a real shame.”
The steak and ale, turkey and cranberry, and butternut squash crusted delicacies were due to be sold for £10 each at York’s Christmas Market.
But the refrigerated white Fiat Ducato van they were in was stolen from Melmerby, North Yorks.
It was found dumped in Middlesbrough with false plates.
Cleveland Police said officers found it abandoned on Friday at around 11.30pm and moved to a garage for forensic checks.
A spokeswoman said: “There were no reports that this vehicle had been stolen at the time.”
The force said they only became aware it had been pinched when North Yorkshire Police contacted them on Monday after seeing a note on the van discovery on the Police National Computer.
The spokeswoman added that the force was “just as sad as everyone else to hear that the tasty pies in the van have sadly perished”.
North Yorkshire Police said it had launched a probe into the theft.
