Police in Erfurt tried to stop a car early on Saturday morning, but the driver sped off after initially obeying an instruction to pull over. The chase ended when a police patrol lost the fleeing Kia Picanto after it drove at a very high speed. Officers launched immediate search measures and found the vehicle again shortly afterwards. The occupants had already left in an unknown direction by the time the car was recovered. Police said false number plates were attached to the vehicle, that it was not registered, and that no insurance coverage was in place. As a result, multiple criminal proceedings were opened, initially against unknown suspects. Anyone with information about the people involved can contact the North Inspection Service of the State Police Headquarters in Erfurt under case reference 0292454/2026.