Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac chased down his stolen Chiron in his personal Porsche 911, leading to a wild chase crossing international lines…
Company founder and CEO Mate Rimac recently shared a remarkable story on Facebook. A thief stole his Bugatti Chiron directly from the factory. Rimac chased the stolen car alongside Croatian police while driving his Porsche 911. Rimac explained that Croatia feels extremely safe. Therefore, he usually leaves key fobs inside his cars at company facilities. Many South Africans might find this habit surprising…
Unsecured keys and open campus access
Rimac will no longer leave keys in unattended vehicles. He previously kept keys inside cars to help workers move them efficiently for testing. The Bugatti Rimac campus lacks heavy security barriers. Rimac prefers an open, welcoming environment for visitors. However, guests still need access cards to enter company buildings.
A stranger walked onto the property and found the unlocked Chiron. The available keys tempted him to drive away. Rimac did not notice the car missing initially. Staff and friends drive his vehicles frequently. Therefore, no one spotted the theft immediately. Concern grew when acquaintances reported a stranger driving recklessly in a nearby town. Rimac checked the company group chat. He quickly confirmed that the Chiron was stolen.
High-speed stolen Bugatti Chiron pursuit across international borders
Rimac contacted the police immediately. Officers arrived as the tech team checked telemetry data. This system tracked the Chiron’s location, speed, and fuel level. The data showed the car moving towards Slovenia. Rimac jumped into his Porsche 911 to join the police pursuit. The thief had a one-hour head start. However, Rimac had a full tank of petrol. He hoped border police would stop the suspect before Slovenia, but the thief reached Austria.
Telemetry indicated the stolen Bugatti Chiron was running low on fuel. The thief stopped, filled the petrol tank halfway, and sped off without paying. Austrian police eventually cornered the vehicle and arrested the driver. Rimac later learned the suspect had a troubled past. The car is worth up to R93 million, depending on specifications. Furthermore, twenty police officers joined the chase, escalating the situation significantly.
Recovery and resolution
Rimac could not drive the stolen Bugatti Chiron home immediately. Authorities loaded the hypercar onto a flatbed as evidence. Rimac also submitted ownership documents to claim his vehicle. Rimac later met the thief. The man claimed he originally visited the campus to apply for a job. However, the visible keys presented an irresistible opportunity. Rimac declined to press charges personally. Nevertheless, Croatian and Austrian authorities will prosecute the offender due to the severity of the crime.
The Chiron suffered minor damage to the lower right bumper. Rimac remains unbothered and plans to repair it. He expressed relief that no one suffered injuries during the chase. Finally, Rimac commended the Croatian and Austrian police for their swift action and says the whole situation was a good laugh.
