Young driver steals two cars, swims across the Szamos to evade police
A banned driver stole two cars, abandoned them after breakdowns, and twice crossed the Szamos River while fleeing police before being captured.
A young man barred from driving stole a family car from a property in Levelek in June, using a key left inside, and drove toward Budapest, refueling for free in Nyíregyháza and Dunakeszi. After the vehicle broke down near Ófehér, he abandoned it and, hours later, found another unattended car with its key at the same location, heading toward the Romanian border. Police began a chase near Győrtelek; the suspect fled into nearby woods, jumped into the Szamos River, and swam across.
On the opposite bank at Szamosszeg, officers were waiting, so he turned back, re-entered the river at Panyola, and was ultimately apprehended. Prosecutors have filed charges and are seeking a prison sentence.
Why it matters
The case highlights risky illegal driving and police pursuit tactics in rural Hungary.
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