RIYADH: A man who was car drifting on the streets turned out to be a car thief when police caught him in action.

When police approached the drifter, he started running away. After a long chase, police were able to apprehend him.

On arrest, police found that the car was stolen some weeks ago and he was wanted in more than seven criminal and traffic cases.

Police said they confiscated the stolen car and materials inside the car to make a case before a court of law. The incident happened in the Al-Naseem district in the east of Riyadh.

According to police spokesman Col. Fawaz bin Jameel Al-Maiman, the unruly behavior of drifters has disturbed the peace and tranquility of the public. Riyadh traffic police, and research and investigation teams have been trying to eradicate the phenomenon of drifting, which involves modifying vehicles to make their motors more powerful, and racing other cars on the streets.

Al-Maiman said police field a special team to apprehend these wrongdoers to book them for traffic regulations. Recent efforts by authorities have resulted in the reduction of accidents and drifting incidents.

In 2014, Riyadh traffic police arrested more than 646 car drifters during a period of six months preceding November.

Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Naif, deputy premier and interior minister, praised a judgment in drifting case where the drifter was sentenced to a jail term of six years and 600 lashes.

Ahmed Shitiwi Al-Rowaili was given the sentence for car drifting with his friend who died on the spot in the accident.

In a directive issued from the office of the crown prince, it was stressed that the accused cannot be pardoned for his offense and no amnesty could be offered to the convict.