POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a tractor was taken from a farm in East Marton and ended up abandoned in Farnhill.
The suspected driver of the tractor ran off, and despite a police search, was not found.
The blue New Holland tractor was taken sometime on Saturday night from the farm off the A59 and driven towards Carleton where it was in collision with a stationary Fiat van at around midnight.
It then continued to Farnhill where it was abandoned in Bradley Lane, High Farnhill.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a police helicopter was called in to help search for a suspect who ran off after abandoning the vehicle at just after midnight on Sunday.
"The suspect ran off just before officers arrived, and - despite an extensive search of the area involving the police helicopter - was not located. The investigation is ongoing."
Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12170134087.
The tractor has been returned to its owners.
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