It has been a quick and livid sport of cat and mouse however Czech police have finally arrested a “phantom” racing car driver repeatedly noticed on the nation’s highways.
Police have been first alerted to the weird case of a crimson Formula One-style racing car illegally driving on public roads six years in the past. But all efforts to apprehend the speedy automobile’s unidentifiable driver have been fruitless. Until now.
At 8.15 a.m. native time on Sunday, police have been alerted to a racing car seen at a gasoline station close to Dobříš, about 25 miles southwest of Prague.
“Two minutes after the first report, another caller reported that the formula car was speeding along the D4 highway in the direction toward Příbram,” a city additional south, Lieutenant Michaela Richterová, spokesperson for the Czech Police, Central Bohemian Region, mentioned in a press launch.
Several police patrols and a helicopter have been instantly dispatched and inside quarter-hour the driver was apprehended within the village of Buk, round 11 miles from the place it was first noticed.
A 51-year-old man, who examined unfavorable for each drink and medicines, was recognized behind the wheel, though his id has not been made public. He was taken to a police station for questioning however refused to remark, police mentioned.
Previous makes an attempt to apprehend the motorist have been unsuccessful. The high-speed automobile was first dropped at police consideration again in 2019 once they obtained video footage of it driving on the D4 freeway, which connects Prague and the Southern Bohemia area. Three years later, they have been made conscious of extra footage of the racing car, this time on a freeway in Central Bohemia. Images from velocity cameras confirmed the driver carrying a helmet, which made it unimaginable to establish him.
Driving such a automobile on public roads is illegitimate within the Czech Republic. The police press launch acknowledged: “Racing cars of this type are not legally allowed to be driven on roads because they do not meet the legal technical requirements. The formula car has sharp edges and does not have lights, turning signal lights, license plates or other important safety features. Driving a formula car or other such racing car is dangerous not only for the driver himself, but also for other road users.”
A video, shared on a YouTube channel and an Instagram account recognized by Czech media as belonging to the driver and his son, reveals the second of arrest. The automobile is seen being towed right into a courtyard of a home, with a voice heard shouting in Czech “There’s police everywhere!”
The driver refuses to get out and argues that police are trespassing on personal property. The officers are heard saying they’re there as a result of the driver is suspected of breaking the legislation.
The driver then telephones the police, whereas arguing with officers on the scene. He is instructed by the officer on the telephone to obey police on the scene, however continues to withstand. This standoff goes on for nearly 10 minutes earlier than the driver finally will get out and is escorted away.
While the racing car was described as a Ferrari by its house owners, commentators on-line recognized it as a Dallara GP racing automobile.
The police will now move the case to the executive physique that can resolve on the penalty. The offense carries a high quality of 5,000 to 10,000 Czech koruna ($240-$480) and a driving ban of six months to a 12 months.