High-speed car chase causes consternation in Benidorm

BENIDORM’s central Avenida del Mediterráneo was the main scenario for a Hollywood-style car chase, that left many tourists and residents alike wondering if it was part of a film set.

The antics ended with the arrest of a 42-year-old German national. At around 13.50 last Thursday, a National Police patrol carrying out public safety duties, ordered the driver of an Audi that was driving too fast to pull over.

The driver not only ignored the order, but sped off even faster down pedestrian streets, bumping into street furniture on the way and putting pedestrians’ lives in danger.

Officers called for backup and more National Police cars and a van were mobilised and at first attempted to block the avenue where it meets Avenida Europa, but the Audi just pushed its way through before heading back down the Mediterráneo towards the Rincón de Loix.

After several minutes of hot pursuit and after the vehicle had collided with several police vehicles, the National Police managed to neutralise the car on the Levante beach promenade and arrested the driver, who actively resisted detention.

Officers then proceeded to inspect the vehicle, suspecting that the reason for him trying to escape was related to whatever he had in his car.

The vehicle was found to be carrying pirate television decoders and items related to their installation as well as various amounts of cash, all of which were seized.

A police investigation was opened in order to determine possible criminal responsibility on the part of the arrested man. The detainee, a 42-yearold man of German nationality was sent before a judge, accused of attacking an officer of the law, damage and offences against road safety.

Thanks to the police action, no personal injuries to the public were reported, although as a result of the intervention, five National Police officers suffered minor injuries, as well as different material damage to street furniture around Benidorm.

Currently, there is an ongoing police investigation by officers from the Benidorm National Police station.