SOUTH Yorkshire police swooped on two Suffolk restaurants in a bid to trace a man wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run accident, it emerged today.

SOUTH Yorkshire police swooped on two Suffolk restaurants in a bid to trace a man wanted in connection with a fatal hit and run accident, it emerged today.

Officers from the force's Road Death Investigation Unit descended on the Szechuan Inn in Brantham and at the Saigon in Felixstowe to quiz staff on the whereabouts of Ming Guo Chen.

Detectives believe Chen may have crucial evidence relating to the accident which took place in Sheffield and claimed the life of 85-year-old war veteran Wilf Sarjeant.

The Evening Star understands the South Yorkshire force has already carried out similar raids in London, Newcastle, Leeds, Wakefield and Sunderland.

Mr Sarjeant, a pedestrian, died when he was struck by a silver VW Passat in Sheffield's Elm Lane shortly before 9.40pm on February 1.

The vehicle, which bore the number plate V389 NAD, was later found abandoned in the city's Grange Mill Lane.

Detectives are also keen to speak to a woman call Xue Ling Weng.

Inspector Steve Askham today claimed “some very positive lines of enquiry” had emerged following the visit to Suffolk, but appealed to anyone with information on Chen's whereabouts to contact the force.

“This collision claimed the life of an 85-year-old man who was a loved and respected father,” he said.

“This was made even more tragic by the fact that the driver of the vehicle involved did not even stop at the scene.

“We have had some excellent co-operation in working with Suffolk police but need anyone with information to contact us.”

Two people have already been arrested in connection with the death of Mr Sarjeant.

Police and officials from the UK Border Agency swooped on a Chinese takeaway in Wakefield and at a premises in Leeds.

Both of those arrested were questioned on suspicion of assisting or harbouring an offender and have been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Those with information relating to the police's enquiries should call 0114 2202970.

WILF Sarjeant, a Second World War veteran, died after being knocked down in February.

He was walking home from visiting his wife, Lois, also 85, at the nearby Blenheim Court care home.

Police believe Mr Sarjeant, a group captain in the RAF, was crossing the road when he was in hit by a silver VW Passat.

Mr Sarjeant's daughter, Dianne, 49, who lives in Dewsbury, said her father was a "wonderful man".

"No-one can imagine what it is like to have police knock on your door in the middle of the night to say your father has died in a collision that needn't have happened," she said.

"The pain and suffering is overwhelming and indescribable.

"The barrage of emotions we are experiencing is beyond words and the grief is almost unbearable."