Car Chase on Via Rapida

Public Security Police (PSP) officers were involved in a high-speed chase on the VR1 yesterday. 

According to information gathered by JM, the suspect vehicle was being monitored and watched by PSP agents in the Santa Cruz area. When ordered to follow police instructions and immobilize the vehicle, the driver sped off resulting in a high-speed escape along VR1, towards Santa Cruz-Caniço.

Despite repeated warnings from the PSP to pull over, the driver of the vehicle, a dark-colored Opel, managed to dodge the police by maneuvering dangerously between the cars circulating on the road. In the Caniço de Baixo area, the situation worsened when the vehicle did a 180º and drove down a highway slip road the wrong way.

At the time of the initial report, it was not certain if the driver had been apprehended. 

Update on 22nd of December

A 58-year-old man who was detained yesterday by the Public Security Police, for the crime of dangerous driving and resistance and coercion against an employee, was released, with a term of residence. This was confirmed to JM by Filipe Câmara, presiding judge of the District of Madeira.

Contacted by JM, the presiding judge confirmed that the defendant was released by the Public Prosecutor, after being heard by him. 

It should be recalled that the Public Security Police, after the Madeiran media revealed news with videos that reported this occurrence, confirmed that the initial moment took place in the city of Câmara de Lobos, after the police recognised the suspect driving, since “he is a repeat offender” (burglary). After checking the license plate through PSP central, “it was found that it did not correspond to the vehicle that the suspect was driving,” and it was believed that the vehicle was stolen or used as a getaway car. And that’s where it all started.

As soon as the police made their presence known, giving instructions for the vehicle to slow down and stop, the driver, sped off, resulting in a high-speed chase along the VR1 endangering the lives of others.

His erratic driving only stopped after other police officers from Santa Cruz joined in and the suspect was immobilised in the Caniço area, after crashing into the police vehicle.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com