‘Fast and furious’ 21-year-old in custody after police car chase

Dunstan Bugeja, 21 of Marsa was remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to various traffic related offences and breaching bail.

Prosecuting inspector Robert Vella explained how on Sunday at around 7pm, three traffic police officers on duty at Rabat saw a Mercedes with foreign licence plates. Bugeja, well known with the police in connection with prostitution and drugs, was behind the wheel. When the officers approached the vehicle to carry out a spot-check, the accused sped off towards Zebbug.

The traffic officers requested the help of the Rapid Intervention Unit and took up chase, going through Attard, San Anton, Imriehel, Marsa, Kordin and Bormla. During the chase, the accused repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road and against the direction of normal traffic, at times reaching speeds of 180km/h.

The chase was brought to an end when RIU officers blocked the exit of Triq Alessandru in Bormla. The driver tried to run away from the vehicle but was arrested on site. Police checks revealed how the accused was out on bail and signed the bail book at the Bormla Police Station.

Dunstan Bugeja was charged with dangerous and negligent driving of an uninsured, unlicensed and unregistered vehicle. He was also accused of committing an offence while out on bail.

Magistrate Consuelo Scerri Herrera remanded Bugeja in custody.