Local police agents were able to recover a car that had been stolen in la calle Virgen de la Caridad in Santiago de la Ribera on Thursday, after a spectacular chase that began at about 5:30 am in the morning. The pursuit took in sections of the AP-7 motorway and ended up on the beach and at the Columbus paseo in Santiago de la Ribera.
In attempting to escape, a 32-year-old Ukrainian national, caused several traffic accidents, ran over an agent and scattered a group of young people walking along the promenade.
The events began at 5.15 am when the owner of the stolen vehicle reported the vehicle theft by calling 112 after he was awoken by his car alarm, a Toyota Land Cruiser. As he looked out of the window he saw his vehicle being driven away.
Moments later, a San Javier Police patrol saw the stolen vehicle and tried to intercept it, at which point the driver attempted to escape at high speed driving along the AP7, toward San Pedro del Pinatar.
The stolen vehicle was driven at maximum speed, carrying out a number of dangerous manoeuvres as he tried to shake off the pursuing police vehicles. He took the motorway exit at Santiago de la Ribera and followed by three patrols, he drove along the pedestrian promenade on la calle Querubina Jimenez, continuing to drive at high speed to the Yacht Club where he was stopped by another police patrol car that blocked the way, at which point he drove onto la playa Barnuevo.
Chased by the police, and only narrowly avoiding a group of youngsters, he finally abandoned the vehicle on the promenade, at la calle Gascón and attempted to flee on foot.
He was finally cornered by several agents where, despite offering strong resistance, during which time 3 of the policemen suffered injuries, he was detained and handcuffed.
He now awaits an appearance in court where he will be charged with theft, assault dangerous driving and no doubt lots more.
