A car worth millions of dollars was stolen not because of a complicated security breach, but because its owner had left the keys inside. The surprising part? The owner was none other than Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac, and the stolen vehicle was his prized Bugatti Chiron.
What followed was an unusual chase involving live vehicle tracking, a Porsche 911 and police forces across European borders. The incident has now caught the attention of car enthusiasts around the world, with many discussing how such an expensive vehicle could be taken so easily.
How Was Mate Rimac’s Bugatti Chiron Stolen?
The incident took place at the Rimac company’s campus in Croatia, where Mate Rimac’s Bugatti Chiron was parked. Rimac later explained the entire episode in a video shared on social media.
He admitted that he had a habit of leaving the keys inside his cars. This included not only the Chiron but also other vehicles, including the Rimac Nevera.
There was a practical reason behind this unusual habit. Employees and colleagues at the company sometimes needed to move the cars or use them for testing. Keeping the keys inside made it easier for them to access the vehicles without having to contact him every time.
Rimac had followed this practice for years without facing any trouble. He also believed that the company’s surroundings were safe enough for such an arrangement.
However, this time, someone noticed the opportunity and drove away with the Chiron.
Why Did Nobody Notice the Car Was Missing?
Another surprising detail was how the theft initially went unnoticed.
Rimac explained that the company campus was designed to be open and welcoming. It did not have traditional perimeter fencing around the entire area. While access to the buildings required an entry card, the vehicles parked outside could be approached.
There was also another reason the missing car did not immediately raise suspicion. Several employees and colleagues regularly used Rimac’s vehicles. As a result, people were accustomed to seeing different individuals driving them.
The situation changed when someone informed the staff that an unfamiliar person had been seen driving the Chiron away.
Once the team realised that the car might have been stolen, Rimac immediately contacted the police and began checking the vehicle’s location data.
Bugatti CEO Tracks His Stolen Car Using Technology
The Chiron was equipped with vehicle telemetry technology that allowed its location and other information to be monitored.
Rimac used this information to understand where the car was heading. The tracking data showed that the vehicle was moving towards Slovenia.
Instead of simply waiting for updates, Rimac decided to follow the car’s movements. He got into his Porsche 911 and began pursuing the stolen Chiron.
The thief already had a considerable head start, making the situation even more dramatic. Rimac continued following the vehicle’s location while sharing updates with people coordinating with the police.
The car eventually crossed into Slovenia and continued towards Austria. Although Rimac had hoped that the suspect would be stopped before reaching another country, the journey continued.
A Cross-Border Chase Ends With Austrian Police Catching the Suspect
The chase finally came to an end in Austria, where local police managed to locate and stop the stolen Bugatti.
Rimac praised the Austrian authorities for their response and cooperation. The vehicle’s tracking information helped the police follow its movements and identify where it was travelling.
The recovery was not as simple as collecting the car and driving away. Because of the vehicle’s extremely high value, the authorities followed the required procedures before handing it back.
Reports said the suspect was a Croatian man in his mid-30s. According to Rimac, the man told him that he had visited the company looking for a job. After noticing that the Chiron had its keys inside, he decided to take it.
The car was recovered, although it had suffered some damage and would need repairs.
Mate Rimac Says He Will Never Leave Car Keys Inside Again
Despite the shocking experience, Rimac spoke about the incident in a surprisingly relaxed manner.
He said he had left keys inside his cars for years because he trusted the safety of the surroundings. But the theft changed his approach completely.
He made it clear that the company would no longer leave car keys inside vehicles parked around its campus.
Rimac also said he did not personally want to press charges against the suspect. However, the seriousness of the incident and the enormous value of the vehicle meant that the legal process could continue through the authorities.
He thanked the police, particularly the Austrian officers who helped recover the car, and described the incident as a story the company would remember.
Why Is the Bugatti Chiron So Special?
The Bugatti Chiron is not an ordinary luxury car. It is one of the most recognisable high-performance hypercars in the world.
The model is known for its powerful engineering, exclusive design and extraordinary performance. Its 8.0-litre quad-turbocharged W16 engine produces around 1,500 horsepower.
Bugatti limited the Chiron’s top speed to 420 kmph for its standard production version. Even at that limit, it is among the most powerful road-going cars ever produced.
The Chiron was unveiled in 2016, and production eventually came to an end in 2024. Only 500 units were made, making it a highly exclusive vehicle.
Depending on the specification and market, its value can run into several million dollars. That makes the theft even more unusual: a vehicle that represents the peak of automotive engineering was taken simply because its keys were left inside.
A Lesson for Luxury Car Owners in India Too
Although this incident happened in Croatia, it offers an important lesson for vehicle owners everywhere, including India.
Many people assume that expensive cars are automatically safe because they have advanced security systems. But technology cannot always prevent a theft if basic precautions are ignored.
In India, luxury cars are often parked in apartment basements, gated communities, hotels, offices and private garages. Owners may feel comfortable leaving their vehicles unlocked for a short time, especially in familiar surroundings.
However, even a trusted location does not remove the need for basic security. Keys should be kept safely, vehicles should be locked properly, and owners should use available tracking and security features.
Businesses that allow employees to move expensive vehicles should also maintain clear key-management procedures. A simple system for recording who has access to a vehicle can prevent confusion and reduce risks.
The incident also highlights the growing importance of connected-car technology. Location tracking can help owners and law enforcement respond faster when a vehicle goes missing. Still, it should be treated as an additional layer of protection rather than a replacement for basic security.
An Expensive Reminder That Small Mistakes Can Have Big Consequences
Mate Rimac’s stolen Bugatti Chiron story sounds almost unbelievable. A company leader who works with some of the world’s most advanced cars lost his own hypercar because he left the keys inside.
Fortunately, the vehicle was recovered after a cross-border operation involving tracking technology and police cooperation. But the incident has clearly changed the way Rimac and his team handle vehicle security.
For car lovers, it is an extraordinary story involving two high-performance cars and an unexpected chase. For everyone else, the message is much simpler: no matter how safe a place feels, basic precautions should never be ignored.