Police chase uncovers loaded pistol, stolen plates in teen’s car

ORF reported that police detained a 16-year-old driver from Linz-Land district after he fled during a chase on the B3 road near Steyregg in the Urfahr-Umgebung district on Tuesday evening.

Officers were travelling on the road at about 6:15 p.m. during an emergency response when they noticed a car. The driver accelerated sharply after seeing the police vehicle, overtook several vehicles, crossed solid lines and ignored a stop sign.

He eventually abandoned the car at a petrol station and fled on foot with his 18-year-old passenger from Perg district. Police caught the teenager after a brief pursuit. The passenger returned to the parked car on her own.

During a subsequent search, officers found a loaded blank-firing pistol inside the vehicle and confiscated it. They also discovered that the licence plates fitted to the car had been reported stolen.

The 16-year-old did not have a valid driving licence. Police have launched investigations into the violations identified and other possible offences.