A male Emirati motorist has been arrested for running more than a dozen red lights and nearly causing five accidents as he attempted to outrun police in Sharjah.
A police officer told the emirate's criminal court that Ajman Police tipped them off about the reckless driver.
"They reported a speeding Prado heading towards Sharjah and being chased by a civilian car from Ajman police's criminal investigation department," the policeman told judges.
He said he was first to spot the driver, who was carrying a passenger, as he ran a red light in Sharjah Industrial Area 2 and so pursued him.
"The car was going at way more than 160kph and, while chasing it, the driver nearly caused three crashes and two run over accidents."
About 10 other police patrols joined the chase but the motorist would attempt to swerve into them whenever they neared or tried to overtake his car.
"Road construction prevented the other patrols from keeping up and caused the man's car to ram into the pavement. At that point I managed to come in front of his car," the policeman said in court.
He said that when he got out of his vehicle, the driver tried to run him over.
"I fired a shot in the air but he didn't stop and instead he turned his car trying to escape but before he could drive away I shot his car's back tyres which stopped the car completely.
"I headed to the passenger's seat to arrest the second defendant who injured my hand while an officer from another patrol car arrived and handcuffed the motorist," he said.
During police questioning, the motorist admitted to charges of speeding, running red lights, endangering the lives of others, reckless driving and resisting arrest, but he did not attend court to enter a plea.
His co-accused did attend court but denied involvement.
"I was seated next to him in the car. He is my friend from a long time but I had no idea he was going to do what he did. How could I have known his intentions?" said the co-accused.
He told judges that some police officers assaulted him during his arrest and requested bail.
His request was denied and the hearing was adjourned until December 10 to summon the first defendant, face him with charges and testimonies.
