Police stop driver in Ayia Napa after lengthy car chase

Police on Tuesday gave chase from Paralimni to Ayia Napa before managing to stop and apprehend a 19-year-old driver for a series of traffic offences and driving under the influence of drugs.

Famagusta district police spokesman Steve Theodoulou said the traffic police carrying out checks in Paralimni spotted a vehicle without number plates at around 10am. They signalled to the driver to stop but he sped off, and the police patrol vehicle gave pursuit with sirens blaring and light flashing.

“The driver continued to drive dangerously and recklessly, carrying out a number of traffic offences, entering the opposite lane and going down one-way streets, endangering pedestrians and other drivers,” Theodoulou said.

The pursuit continued as far as Ayia Napa where police were able to stop and immobilise the vehicle at the Makarios avenue roundabout. The driver was found to be a 19-year-old man from Larnaca district. He was arrested and is due in court for a remand hearing.

An initial drug test was administered, and he tested positive to cannabis and cocaine, Theodoulou added.