Police Fire Shots During High-Speed Boat Chase Near Cape Greco

A dramatic boat chase unfolded off the coast of Cape Greco after a vessel, reportedly owned by a Russian national, refused to stop for police. The incident escalated when the boat's captain rammed a police patrol vessel, prompting officers to fire warning shots and eventually disable the boat's engine.

According to a police statement, the chase began around 3:00 p.m. on May 10, approximately 30 nautical miles northeast of Paralimni. Officers aboard a police patrol boat spotted the suspicious vessel and ordered it to stop. When the captain ignored the command, a second police boat joined the pursuit.

During the chase, the fleeing boat attempted to ram both police vessels. In response, officers first fired warning shots into the air. When the captain still refused to comply, police shot at the boat's engine, bringing it to a halt.

The captain was taken into custody and brought to Larnaca port, where he was identified as a citizen of an EU member state and formally arrested.

Later investigations revealed that the man at the helm was a 68-year-old Italian national. The boat itself is registered to a Russian owner. A search of the vessel by Larnaca marine police turned up nothing suspicious.

The captain told authorities he had transported the boat from Mersin, Turkey, to Limassol for repairs on behalf of the Russian owner. He admitted to speeding but claimed he had not seen the police signals to stop.

The Larnaca District Court has charged him with negligence, reckless operation, and violations related to high-speed vessels. He pleaded guilty and was released on €10,000 bail. His court hearing is scheduled for June 20.