Wild Escape from Police: Smuggler Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison

During his last drive in December 2023, he sped away from a police check at the Styrian border crossing Sulztal, broke through a police roadblock, and eventually caused an accident. He managed to escape on foot afterward. He was only arrested in the fall of 2024.

When he saw the police at the border crossing, he got scared, the 26-year-old said in court. He hit the gas and drove away at up to 140 km/h. In Ehrenhausen (Leibnitz district), he sped towards the police officers and the roadblock set up there and broke through it. Shortly afterward, however, he crashed the car into a wall. The eight refugees in the vehicle were unharmed in the accident. The smuggler managed to flee on foot and was only caught after serving a prison sentence in Bulgaria in the fall of 2024.

Fled from Police: Financial Need as Motive

In court, the Moldovan pleaded guilty. He urgently needed money because his mother was ill and he had a minor sister. His father had left the family, and so he was the only one bringing money home. "I'm sorry that I couldn't find another way to earn money at the time," he emphasized. Even before his arrest, he had decided to "do nothing criminal" anymore.

The jury found the 26-year-old guilty of smuggling, attempted grievous bodily harm, intentional public endangerment, and resisting state authority. The verdict is final.

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.