Mercedes taxi thief drove into oncoming traffic and jumped red lights …
An 'appalling' Mercedes taxi thief drove into oncoming traffic and jumped red lights in a 160-mile high-speed police chase eventually ended by Warwickshire traffic cops. After being denied entry to a cab outside the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport, Mohammed Ahmed made off at speed in a taxi that had been briefly left unattended with the keys in the ignition.
Ahmed, of Heather Avenue, Walsall, Ahmed took the vehicle, discarded identification documents at the victim's home before leading police on a dangerous pursuit that covered half the length of the country. He reached speeds in excess of 130mph and also drove into cordoned off areas with roadworks in order to evade officers.
The 24-year-old was tracked by the National Police Air Service helicopter as he raced along the M23, M25 and onto the M40. The NPAS informed their colleagues in Thames Valley Police and Warwickshire[1] Police as the drama unfolded on September 17 last year.
Despite police using a tyre deflation device, after losing a tyre on the vehicle, he continued to drive away at speeds of more than 100mph. He moved onto the M42, the M6[3] and the A34, where he was still driving at speeds of 70mph in a 30mph zone, going the wrong way around roundabouts, through red lights, and on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.
Officers from Warwickshire Police's Road Policing Unit (RPU) then arrested Ahmed after he drove into a cul-de-sac in Walsall. Detective Inspector Darren Lillywhite said: "Ahmed had been refused a fare when he decided to take the taxi outside the South Terminal.
"His driving was so reckless that police were not able to continue pursuing him because of the risk it posed to other road users and officers. Our colleagues from NPAS tracked him, and fortunately our colleagues from Warwickshire Police[4] RPU were able to catch him and make the arrest.
The moment Mohammed Ahmed's crazy bid to evade capture was finally ended by Warwickshire traffic cops (Image: Sussex Police)
"Ahmed is very lucky not to have caused serious harm to either himself, our officers, or other road users. His driving was appalling." Following an investigation by Gatwick CID Ahmed was charged with aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving.
Appearing at Lewes Crown Court on Friday, August 4, Ahmed was disqualified from driving for 18 months and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work as part of a 14-month suspended prison sentence.
He was also told to complete 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) sessions and pay £841.53 in compensation to the taxi driver. He must also pay £425 court costs and a victim surcharge of £187.
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References
- ^ Warwickshire (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Four arrested after man shot dead in Leamington Spa (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ the M6 (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ Warwickshire Police (www.coventrytelegraph.net)
- ^ daily newsletter (data.reachplc.com)