33-Year-Old Greek Cypriot on Drugs Crashes Stolen Pickup into Dhekelia Sovereign Base Patrol

A 33-year-old Greek Cypriot was detained and remanded in custody until a February 26 court date after a stolen pickup truck overturned and crashed into a Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area (SBA) police patrol vehicle during a chase, according to an official statement.

The arrest took place on February 11 after the Cyprus Police notified the Dhekelia SBA response unit about a stolen one-ton pickup truck, belonging to the village of Pyrga, moving along a dirt road within its territory. At the scene, patrol officers found the suspect attempting to burn registration and ownership documents; the license plates had been removed.

While attempting to flee, the suspect accelerated, lost control, overturned the vehicle, and crashed into a parked patrol car. Following his detention, he tested positive for methamphetamine and cannabis; a personal search revealed a small quantity of drugs and a folding knife. According to the investigation, a detention order had previously been issued against him in September last year for drug-related cases. He faces charges of theft, drug possession, carrying a knife, dangerous driving, driving under the influence, and other traffic offenses.

An investigation by the serious crime department also links the suspect to a theft at a house under construction in Ormideia in December. Dhekelia SBA Deputy Chief of Police Marcos Petrou noted the team's coordinated actions and emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Cyprus Police in preventing and solving crimes.