A Bugatti Chiron belonging to Rimac Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac was stolen from the Rimac Campus in Croatia after being left unattended with its key inside. The thief drove the hypercar across multiple countries before Austrian police located the vehicle and arrested him.

Chiron stolen from the Rimac Campus

Security footage showed a hooded man examining the dark blue Chiron at the rear of the facility. After finishing a cigarette, he opened the driver’s door, climbed in and drove away.

Rimac’s team quickly noticed that the car was missing, prompting Rimac to contact Croatian police. The Chiron’s tracking system provided a live location and showed that it was heading toward Slovenia.

Rimac then set off in his Porsche 911 to pursue the stolen car. He was unable to catch the thief as the Chiron traveled through Slovenia and continued into Austria, where police ultimately found it.

Thief said he was looking for work

While traveling to the police station to establish that he owned the vehicle, Rimac spoke with the arrested man. According to Rimac, the man said he had entered the campus while looking for a job and noticed that the Chiron had been left with the keys inside.

The man reportedly told Rimac that he had hoped to drive the car to Germany. The reason for that intended destination was not clear.

Minor damage to the Chiron

Rimac has said that he routinely leaves the key inside the Chiron because engineers frequently drive and test the car. The Rimac Campus is also open to the public, which allowed the thief to access the vehicle.

Despite the international pursuit, the Chiron reportedly sustained only a scuffed carbon-fiber front splitter. The Bugatti team will repair that component.

Police in Croatia and Austria are expected to file charges and prosecute the man. The incident has also prompted Rimac to reconsider leaving an unlocked car with its key inside, regardless of how safe the surrounding area may seem.