- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,057
- 18,914
I guess he botched the police entrance exam...
Tokyo police have arrested a 23-year-old unemployed man over a drunken driving incident involving an illegally modified vehicle disguised as an unmarked police car, complete with a flashing red light and siren. The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest on 21 May. The suspect is accused of multiple offences, including drink-driving, dangerous driving causing injury, and operating a defective vehicle. The incident took place in the early hours of 21 December in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.
Investigators said the man drove through the streets for about 12 minutes, with a red emergency light flashing on the roof and a siren sounding continuously. Police also allege he used a microphone inside the vehicle to order other drivers aside. According to investigators, he shouted phrases such as, "Police car coming through the middle. Please move to the left and right and stop," and "Emergency vehicle passing through. Excuse us."
The suspect reportedly told investigators he bought the parts through flea market apps for around 100,000 yen ($630) because he wanted to drive a car unlike anyone else's. Police also seized a second fake undercover patrol car from the home of the man who modified the vehicle.
Investigators believe he belonged to an online group whose members exchanged modification techniques and staged role-playing events at racing circuits, with fake police cars chasing motorcyclists acting as biker gangs. The man allegedly told police he had admired the flashing lights of police and fire vehicles since childhood. Although he knew the modifications were illegal, he said he wanted to make the vehicle look as realistic as possible.
Tokyo police have arrested a 23-year-old unemployed man over a drunken driving incident involving an illegally modified vehicle disguised as an unmarked police car, complete with a flashing red light and siren. The Metropolitan Police Department announced the arrest on 21 May. The suspect is accused of multiple offences, including drink-driving, dangerous driving causing injury, and operating a defective vehicle. The incident took place in the early hours of 21 December in Tokyo's Nerima Ward.
Investigators said the man drove through the streets for about 12 minutes, with a red emergency light flashing on the roof and a siren sounding continuously. Police also allege he used a microphone inside the vehicle to order other drivers aside. According to investigators, he shouted phrases such as, "Police car coming through the middle. Please move to the left and right and stop," and "Emergency vehicle passing through. Excuse us."
The suspect reportedly told investigators he bought the parts through flea market apps for around 100,000 yen ($630) because he wanted to drive a car unlike anyone else's. Police also seized a second fake undercover patrol car from the home of the man who modified the vehicle.
Investigators believe he belonged to an online group whose members exchanged modification techniques and staged role-playing events at racing circuits, with fake police cars chasing motorcyclists acting as biker gangs. The man allegedly told police he had admired the flashing lights of police and fire vehicles since childhood. Although he knew the modifications were illegal, he said he wanted to make the vehicle look as realistic as possible.