Imagine walking up to a Bugatti Chiron worth around $3 million, opening the door, finding the keys inside, and simply driving away. Sounds like something straight out of a Hollywood movie, right? Well, that’s essentially what happened to Bugatti Rimac CEO Mate Rimac, who recently had his prized Chiron stolen from his company’s campus in Croatia. The craziest part is that Rimac admitted he regularly leaves the keys inside his expensive cars, including his Bugatti and Rimac Nevera, because he trusts the safety of his surroundings. Unfortunately, that confidence was put to the test when someone decided to take his 1,500-horsepower hypercar on an unauthorized road trip across Europe.
The theft occurred when a man walked onto the Rimac campus near Zagreb and discovered the Chiron parked with its keys readily available. The facility isn’t surrounded by heavy security fencing, and Rimac explained that employees frequently move his vehicles for testing or other company business, making it convenient to leave the keys inside. The theft might have initially gone unnoticed if someone hadn’t spotted an unfamiliar person driving the Bugatti away. After employees realized nobody within the company had taken the car, the alarm was raised, and Rimac immediately contacted the police. By that point, the thief had already established a substantial head start.
What happened next is where the story gets particularly interesting. Rimac and his team accessed the Chiron’s live telemetry system, which allowed them to monitor the vehicle’s location, speed, fuel level, and other operating information in real time. They quickly discovered the stolen Bugatti was heading toward Slovenia and eventually Austria. Rather than simply relying on authorities, Rimac jumped into his own Porsche 911 and headed after the thief, who was already about an hour ahead. Meanwhile, employees and police coordinated through a group chat, sharing updated vehicle location information as the situation unfolded. At one point, Rimac noticed the Chiron was running low on fuel and hoped authorities could intercept it during a refueling stop, but the driver managed to continue traveling.
The chase eventually ended in Austria, where police successfully intercepted the stolen Chiron near Graz. An Austrian officer had reportedly joined the group’s communication channel, allowing authorities to receive updated tracking information throughout the pursuit. The suspected thief, identified as a 36-year-old Croatian man, was taken into custody, and the valuable hypercar was recovered. Rimac later explained that the man had apparently visited the company looking for employment before spotting the opportunity to take the Bugatti. Surprisingly, Rimac expressed sympathy for the individual and said he didn’t intend to personally pursue charges. However, given the extraordinary value of the stolen vehicle, authorities could still pursue criminal proceedings regardless of his wishes.
Thankfully, Rimac got his Chiron back, although the car reportedly sustained some minor damage during the ordeal. The incident also served as a rather expensive reminder that even the world’s most exclusive automobiles aren’t immune to opportunistic theft. Rimac has already made it clear that he won’t be leaving keys inside vehicles around the factory anymore, which is probably a wise decision considering the collection of extraordinary machines associated with his company. We have to admit, there’s something almost comical about a Bugatti CEO chasing his stolen $3 million hypercar in a Porsche 911 while monitoring its every move through sophisticated telemetry. It’s certainly not something you hear about every day, and thankfully, this particular automotive adventure ended with the car back where it belongs.
Lloyd Tobias is a seasoned automotive journalist and passionate enthusiast with over 15 years of experience immersed in the world of cars. Whether it’s exploring the latest advancements in automotive technology or keeping a close pulse on breaking industry news, Lloyd brings a sharp perspective and a deep appreciation for all things automotive. His writing blends technical insight with real-world enthusiasm, making his contributions both informative and engaging for readers who share his love for the drive. When he’s not behind the keyboard or under the hood, Lloyd enjoys test driving the newest models and staying ahead of the curve in an ever-evolving automotive landscape.
