A thief stole a Bugatti Chiron from the Bugatti Rimac facility near Zagreb after finding the keys left inside. CEO Mate Rimac used the vehicle's telemetry to track the car through Slovenia and into Austria, where police eventually interceepted the suspect.
The €2.4 million key mistake in Zagreb
The theft at the Bugatti Rimac production and technology complex highlights a significant gap between the value of high-end assets and the security measures protecting them. According to the report, the Bugatti Chiron was left with its keys inside—a habit maintained by CEO Mate Rimac to allow employees to move vehicles easily. Because the site is not fully fenced, the suspect was able to enter and drive off without immediate detection.
This incident mirrors a broader, troubling trend of luxury vehicle theft across European borders, where high-value cars are often targeted for quick cross-border transit. The delay in identifying the theft—caused by the fact that staff routinely move vehicles—gave the thief a critical one-hour head start before the alarm was raised.
A Porsche 911 chase through Slovenia
Once the theft was confirmed via a staff messaging group, Mate Rimac took a high-speed approach to recovery.. The CEO personally pursued the stolen supercar in his own Porsche 911, tracking the Chiron's movements via its advanced telemetry system. As the report details, this real-time data allowed Rimac to relay the vehicle's location to authorities as it crossed from Croatia into Slovenia.
The pursuit eventually reached Austria, where the telemetry data enabled local officers to coordinate an interception. This successful recovery serves as a practical demonstration of the value of connected-vehicle technology, which can turn a potential total loss into a successful interception by providing live location data to law enforcement.
The suspect's claim of seeking employment
The individual detained by Austrian authorities is described as a Croatian man in his 30s. During his interaction with Rimac at the police station, the man claimed he had arrived at the company looking for work and simply took the opportunity when he saw the keys were available. While the Chiron sustained some damage during the theft,Rimac indicated he does not intend to file a formal complaint against the man.
The vulnerability of an unfenced production site
While the car was recovered, the incident leaves several critical questions regarding the long-term security of the Bugatti Rimac facility. it remains unclear if the company will invest in full perimeter fencing or if they will rely solely on stricter key management protocols. Furthermore, while Rimac has stated he will no longer leave keys in vehicles, the legal outcome for the suspect remains uncertain; even without a personal complaint, the extreme value of the vehicle may trigger mandatory legal proceedings by Austrian or Croatian authorities.
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