2007 Malaysian Porsche theft

The 2007 Malaysian Porsche theft refers to the event on July 16, 2007 when a Porsche 911 Targa 4 worth more than 280,000 dollars was stolen out of an auto showroom in Penang, Malaysia.[1] A smartly dressed thief walked into the showroom with a chequebook, asked to test the engine, and then crashed the car through the showroom's glass doors, newspapers in Malaysia reported.[2]

However, the car almost empty on fuel, ran out approximately 1.5 kilometres away and was recovered by the police. Despite this, the thief was able to return with a can of petrol, cut the perimeter fence at the police compound where it was being stored, re-fuel the car, before making his getaway a second time, the New Straits Times reported.

The Porsche almost knocked down a police sentry as it made its escape, avoiding roadblocks and several pursuing squad cars before the driver was eventually able to abandon his vehicle about 10 kilometres away after becoming aware of a large main road block being set up to stop him.[3]

Investigation

Penang police chief Koh Hong Sun said that the police did not rule out the same suspect being behind both thefts because they had the car keys,

"We are investigating the case thoroughly, including whether it was to be smuggled overseas and how the car could be driven out from the... police district headquarters," Koh said.[4]

Two or three suspects were likely responsible, he said.

In the event has been compared to the remake of Gone in 60 Seconds, in which Nicolas Cage plays a former car thief who has to steal 50 specific cars in one night for a gangland boss in order to save his brother's life.

References