Mate Rimac, the CEO of Bugatti Rimac, has revealed the details behind the theft of his personal Bugatti Chiron, a hypercar valued at around €3 million. The incident occurred at the company's factory campus in Croatia, where Rimac drives daily. In a post on social media following the recovery of the vehicle, Rimac explained that the theft happened due to an unusual security lapse: he had left the keys inside the car, a habit he maintains because colleagues and friends frequently need to move or test the vehicle.
The thief, described by Rimac as a local man in his 30s with a problematic past, simply walked onto the open campus, entered the unlocked Chiron, and drove away. The theft went unnoticed for some time because multiple employees and associates use the car regularly, leading to confusion about who was currently driving it. The situation was only discovered when an employee spotted the vehicle being driven by an unauthorized person and alerted the group chat.
Upon realizing the car was stolen, Rimac immediately contacted the police. Because the Chiron is equipped with comprehensive telematics that track location, fuel levels, and speed, authorities could monitor its movement in real-time. The thief drove from Croatia into Slovenia and then toward Austria. While Rimac attempted to pursue the vehicle in his Porsche 911, he was unable to catch up due to the thief's head start. However, Austrian police successfully intercepted the car after it ran low on fuel.
Rimac arrived at the scene where ten police cars and twenty officers were present. Despite having his identification and vehicle documents, he had to undergo additional verification procedures before reclaiming the Chiron. During a meeting at the police station, Rimac spoke with the suspect, who claimed he had come to the company seeking employment and saw the keys inside the car. The thief reportedly intended to drive to Germany.
Although the Chiron sustained some exterior damage, Rimac stated that repairs will be made and emphasized that no one was physically harmed. He expressed gratitude for the swift work of both Croatian and Austrian law enforcement. While Rimac indicated he would not press personal charges, the high value of the stolen vehicle means the suspect will face legal proceedings under Croatian and Austrian law. Rimac concluded by noting that he will no longer leave keys in his vehicles.
Sources: Motorpasión.