Unfortunately, this is not the first time that we’ve had to report on a C6 Corvette being used to evade police on a pursuit. While most criminals are not afforded the opportunity to chose their automotive accomplice, they certainly do when they decide to steal one.
While criminal activities are nothing we like to focus on with the Corvette, we can’t blame them for choosing America’s sports car to try and get away. After all, John Dillinger stole V8 Fords for one reason, it could outrun the police. Unfortunately for criminals, police now have spike strips, helicopters, and more.
Well the knowledge of these devices did not dissuade a man recently in Mobile, Alabama. According to Mobile Police, “Forty-four-year-old Matthew Piele stole a silver, 2010 Chevrolet Corvette from the lot at Mercedes of Mobile, a luxury dealership on Dauphin Street, by leaving ‘false information.’ This happened right in the middle of the day, with officers learning the vehicle was taken around 12:30pm.”
Apparently, Piele was spotted by police in Biloxi, Alabama later that day which then led to a high-speed “joyride” over the course of 20+ miles. As with most pursuits, this forced Piele to drive against traffic on the wrong side of the road and blow through traffic lights and signals, putting many innocent lives in danger.
Ultimately Pielle ran over a spike strip or some other type of tire deflation device which was activated by the Biloxi Police Department. Shortly there after, Piele was unable to continue driving the stolen vehicle, and surrendered to police without further incident. Mobile County Police said, “He faces charges of first-degree theft of property and first-degree receiving stolen property.”
Like we were all told–if you don’t have the time, don’t do the crime!