Bugatti Chiron stolen from Rimac campus in Croatia, recovered in Austria after tracking

A Bugatti Chiron was stolen while parked at the Rimac Campus in Croatia, the site run by Mate Rimac, CEO of both Bugatti and Rimac. The key was inside the car. Rimac described the theft in his own posts, and the car was later found by police in Austria after a chase that crossed several countries.

Why was the key inside the Chiron?

According to Rimac, engineers test the car constantly and move it around the site. Because Rimac is often in meetings, asking for the key each time has become impractical, so he leaves it in the car on campus. Carscoops reports that the dark blue Chiron was parked this way on the day of the theft, and the campus was open to the public.

Security camera footage shows a hooded man examining the Chiron at the back of the campus. He finishes his cigarette, opens the driver's door, gets in and drives off calmly. Rimac's team soon noticed the car was missing and called the local police.

Live telemetry tracking

The Chiron's live telemetry system showed its location, speed and fuel level in real time. The location data showed the car heading toward Slovenia. Rimac shared this information with the police through a group chat, so he and the officers could follow the car's movements at the same time. Rimac did not wait for the police to arrive. He got into his Porsche 911 and went after the car.

He did not catch the thief in Slovenia. The car crossed into Austria, where police found it and detained the driver. While Rimac was on his way to the police station, where the man was being held, to prove the car was his, he spoke with the suspect. Carscoops reports that the man, a Croatian in his mid-thirties, said he had entered the campus for a job interview and then noticed the Chiron with the key in it. He also said he wanted to travel as far as Germany, though it is not clear why.

Damage and legal process

The only damage to the Chiron is a scratch on its carbon fiber front splitter, which the Bugatti team will repair. ShiftDelete.Net reports that Rimac said he will not press charges because he feels sorry for the thief, and that he will no longer leave the key in the car, even on campus. Carscoops, however, writes that Croatian and Austrian police are expected to bring charges given the value of the car.