Nearly three decades after it was stolen, a Ferrari belonging to former Formula One driver Gerhard Berger has been successfully recovered by the Metropolitan Police.
The vehicle, a red Ferrari F512M, was one of two stolen while their owners attended the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, back in April 1995.
This recovery marks the end of a long absence for the car, highlighting the enduring efforts of law enforcement to track down such high-value stolen items.
The Metropolitan Police were alerted to the Ferrari’s whereabouts in January, following a tip-off from the car manufacturer itself.
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Ferrari had conducted checks on a vehicle as part of a sale involving a US buyer and a UK broker in the previous year.
This led to the discovery that the car had been transported to Japan shortly after its theft, only to resurface in the UK towards the end of 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit of the Met sprang into action, ensuring the car was secured and prevented from being exported out of the country.
Despite the successful recovery of Berger’s Ferrari, the whereabouts of the second stolen car remain unknown, with no arrests having been made in connection with the case.
This underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in solving vehicle thefts, especially those involving rare and expensive cars.
Pc Mike Pilbeam, leading the investigation, shared insights into the rigorous process that led to the Ferrari’s recovery.
“The stolen Ferrari – close to the value of £350,000 – was missing for more than 28 years before we managed to track it down in just four days,” he stated.
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Pilbeam highlighted the extensive cooperation between various agencies and organizations, including the National Crime Agency, Ferrari, and international car dealerships.
This collaborative effort was key to piecing together the car’s history and ensuring it did not leave the UK.
The successful recovery of the Ferrari not only represents a significant achievement for the Metropolitan Police but also serves as a testament to the persistence and dedication of law enforcement in solving long-standing cases.