Two crooks fled from police after trying to steal farm equipment and "live-streamed" the chase over Snapchat.
Leon Robinson laughed and encouraged accomplice Mark Gary Carroll as they were being pursued by officers after attempting to steal vital equipment from a Teesdale farm last month.
The pair fled on May 19 after being disturbed trying to take a Polaris ATV vehicle from a farm building in Barnard Castle, Teesside Live reports.
Durham Police said the pair even "live-streamed" the chase on social media app, Snapchat.
One resident who lived nearby was able to share their van’s details on the rural community’s Rural Watch Whatsapp group and reported the duo to the police.
Officers then chased the vehicle and, despite being rammed, were able to intercept the van and arrest the pair.
The farmer’s ATV was also recovered.
Carroll, 33, of Kesteven Road, Hartlepool, and Robinson, 32, of South Road, Hartlepool, appeared at Durham Crown Court and were sentenced to 20 months in prison and ordered to pay £156 to the farmer.
Carroll, who was driving the getaway van, was also banned from driving for 22 months.
Detective Sergeant Sarah Hindmarsh, of Durham Constabulary CID, said: “The job was a great example of community, Rural Watch and police working together to catch the individuals who travelled into our area to steal farm machinery.
“It was good to see the stolen goods recovered for the farmer who was in the middle of a very busy lambing time.
“We will not stand for this type of behaviour in our communities and hope this result deters others who think they can come into our rural areas to commit criminal offences.”
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