Real or fake? Saudi Police drift, jump through car windshield to 'catch thief'
A video of Saudi Arabian police staging a dramatic car chase to apparently 'catch a thief' has been going viral on the internet, with many calling the act no less than a movie stunt.
The video, shared by several accounts on Instagram, shows a white car being chased by a police vehicle in Riyadh. As the car speeds ahead, the police make a sudden drift, cutting right in front of the moving vehicle which brings it to a halt.
One of the cops is seen jumping out of the police vehicle and smashing into the windshield of the white car. Another police vehicle approaching from behind stops the white car from escaping further.
While the video is fascinating to watch and is indeed a jaw-dropping display of efficiency by the Saudi police, it wasn't a real chase to nab a runaway criminal. The video is from a mock drill conducted in Riyadh ahead of the Hajj pilgrimage.
As part of its extensive preparations for Hajj 2025, Saudi Arabia conducted a large-scale security forces parade and military exercises in Makkah on May 31.
The drill included synchronized formations, swift-response operations by commando units, and simulated emergency scenarios, including crowd disturbances and potential threat neutralization.
The car chase part of the drill seemed to have caught the fancy of many Instagram handles who have been circulating it as a real attempt to catch a criminal. However, many social media users pointed out that there are tell-tale signs in the video to show that this wasn't an impromptu scenario.
"Looks like a drill or shoot. There are many police vehicles in the background which were already at rest. Big screen showing the chase, car didn't try to evade after being stopped from front,' wrote one user on Facebook.
The parade was conducted to verify and ensure the readiness of Saudi Arabia's security forces for the Hajj pilgrimage, which attracts thousands of people around the world. The drill was held to prepare for the logistical challenges and security issues that might arise during the annual event.
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