JEDDAH, 9 December 2003 — A stolen Passports Department vehicle was recovered by the highway patrol in Taif on Friday.
Highway patrol received a tip-off that a vehicle carrying the Passports Department logo was being driven along the Asir-Taif highway at high speed in a “reckless and crazy” manner.
Police spotted the vehicle and a chase ensued. When stopped, the driver bolted across the highway and into the desert in the direction of Baha and disappeared into the night.
The vehicle belonged to the Asir office of the Passports Department and had all the standard equipment including communication and tracking devices.
Police say they are giving the investigation the highest priority.
On Nov. 8, a stolen police vehicle was used to gain access to the Al-Muhaya Compound in Riyadh and then detonated, killing 18 and injuring over 150.
But a police official who asked to remain anonymous told Arab News there was no reason to suspect that the Passports Department vehicle was stolen to launch a terrorist attack.
