For the past few weeks, Vaud cantonal police have faced a series of vehicles that cross the canton at speeds of around 200 km/h in the middle of the night. These vehicles are first stolen from dealerships in Switzerland, mainly German, by individuals who try to win France. The police, who hire significant resources to intercept the authors, encourages owners and dealers to the greatest caution to secure these vehicles as well as their contact keys.
For the past few weeks, police forces have faced an increase in luxury vehicle flights from dealerships in Switzerland, mainly German. Thieves pass through the canton of Vaud to go to France. Several prosecution races took place with the police in these two countries, allowing the arrest of minor or adult young authors. Last week, after a long chase on the A1 motorway, two vehicles were intercepted shortly before the Bursins area. During this operation, one of the stolen vehicles collided with a car from the Morges region police arrested on the highway and whose police officers were busy saving the driver of the first vehicle, who was out of the road and had caught fire in a field. The two authors were arrested.
In general, the authors of these flights are of French nationality, sometimes minor and probably recruited by mafia networks. They are very determined and do not hesitate to circulate on the country’s highways at very high speeds, endangering other users and the police who are forced to use very important means to stop them, such as herses, drones and sometimes the canine brigade.
In the canton of Vaud, the patrols of the mobile gendarmerie are naturally engaged during these devices, with the support of the municipal police. They also benefit from the collaboration of the police of the cantons involved, of the Federal Office of Customs and Border Security (OFDF), the inspectors of the Scientific Police, the Public Prosecutor, the Court of Minors and their French counterparts.
The Cantonal Police in Vaud invites the owners and dealers of these vehicles to show the greatest caution in the event of sale. She recommends:
- To place the keys of their vehicles in a secure place;
- If possible, equip the vehicles with an electronic immobilization device, a GPS tracer and block the outlets of concessions with physical elements;
- Install alarms and video surveillance cameras;
- For individuals, not to indicate the contact details when putting their vehicle on the internet on sale, but rather to agree on a meeting place.
In addition, the canton of Vaud has also faced vehicle flights for several weeks during which the contact keys are stealthy, during the day, when garages and bodywork are open.
The Cantonal Police Vaud therefore advises professionals in the automotive branch to ensure the contact keys of their vehicles at every moment of the day and report any suspicious behavior.
