Teen driver claims 'GTA' inspiration in high-speed police chase
Only in the USA? Police officers detained a 19-year-old after a wild chase. The young man believed he was reenacting Grand Theft Auto.
Critics of video games now have another extreme incident to add to their arguments "against." Police in the USA apprehended a teenager who was driving recklessly through the city, violating numerous traffic laws while filming his dangerous actions. The 19-year-old possessed a gun and claimed he "was in GTA."
Media reports indicate that the young man ignored police orders to stop. Instead, he ran a red light, accelerated, and continued his risky drive. In a built-up area, he exceeded speeds of 59 mph. For safety reasons, the officer initially abandoned the chase. However, a month after the incident, which occurred at the end of February, authorities obtained video evidence. In the footage, the suspect expresses excitement about the escape and enjoys "being in GTA."
"I'm in GTA, bro"
In the first video, the suspect is seen fleeing from the police, ignoring orders to stop. In the second video, allegedly holding a gun, he tells the camera: "I'm in GTA, bro." The third video shows the police car in his rearview mirror.
To evade capture, the young man cleverly removed brown film from his car, changing its color to confuse the police. The vehicle was transformed into an ordinary silver sedan. It is unclear if the young man visited a Pay 'n' Spray, but authorities have their suspicions.
The 19-year-old faces charges of failing to respond to an officer's signal to stop, obstructing traffic, creating a road hazard, reckless driving, and using a phone while driving.
Could we see more incidents like this as the release of GTA 6 approaches?
