A Rolls-Royce worth $275,691 was stolen and found in a terrible state, making headlines. The incident began at the Hilton Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US. Around 2 a.m., a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth about 400 million won was stolen from the hotel’s valet service. The suspect was a 21-year-old man named Malik Patterson, and there were already warrants out for his arrest in two states.
Patterson drove his vehicle about six miles before crashing into the Checkers drive-thru on West Broward Boulevard, causing a shocking and ironic ending to his luxury SUV crashing into the fast-food restaurant.
A Luxurious SUV’s Last Moments
Police arrived at the scene and found the Cullinan badly damaged. The front of the car was severely damaged, the side airbags had deployed, and the emergency lights were seen flashing. The ‘suicide door’ behind the driver’s seat was open, clearly showing the severity of the impact.
The Checkers building also sustained significant damage. The impact necessitated a safety inspection of the building’s structure, but fortunately, all employees and guests who were present at the time of the accident were confirmed to be unharmed.
The Suspect’s Attempt to Escape and the Consequences
According to police, the vehicle traveled westbound just before the crash, but there was no pursuit. Patterson attempted to flee after the crash but was arrested nearby and faces additional charges. He is expected to be charged with a felony probation violation, vehicle theft, eluding a police pursuit, and fleeing after damaging property.
The owner of the Cullinan was sleeping at the hotel during the incident and arrived at the scene after being called by the hotel. He expressed that he was not surprised by the event, suggesting that people might just want to steal a luxury vehicle to take it for a ride.
Rising Valet Parking Thefts Spark Safety Concerns
This incident is one of several high-end vehicles stolen from valet services in recent months. In November 2023, a gray Cullinan was stolen from a hotel in Atlanta, and in January 2024, a similar incident occurred at a Miami restaurant.
The series of incidents has once again raised concerns about the safety of valet parking. Experts have pointed out that security needs to be strengthened for luxury vehicles and that the entire valet system needs to be re-examined.
Most Commented