Man’s Reckless 150mph Police Chase Across Seven Counties Ends Behind Bars
Daring Escape Ends in Birmingham Arrest
Syed Reza, 25, from Sundon Park Road, pled guilty to four counts of dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. On Tuesday 12 April, Warwick Crown Court handed down his sentence.
Back on 18 September 2020, Reza refused to stop and led police on a high-speed pursuit from Luton all the way to Birmingham, reaching speeds up to 150mph. The chase spanned seven police force areas and involved officers from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Joint Protective Services, Northamptonshire Police, and West Midlands Police.
Dangerous Driving Terror Spanned 80 Miles
Over the 80-mile pursuit, Reza rammed two police cars and showed blatant disregard for public safety before finally being stopped and arrested in Birmingham.
Following his arrest, Reza was released under investigation, fled the country, then returned a year later where he was promptly picked up at Heathrow Airport.
Judge Labels Chase ‘Worst Dangerous Driving Case’
Judge Lockhart Q described the pursuit as “the worst case of dangerous driving that he has ever seen in his court room.”
“The pursuit travelled through rural and urban areas and it is to my amazement that nobody was injured as a result of the speeds and manner in which Reza was driving. The outcome could have been very different,” said Sergeant Ian Leeson of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Roads Policing Unit.
“This was the most dangerous and protracted pursuit I have ever led in my career as a road policing officer.”
“I would like to thank Judge Lockhart for recognising the seriousness of this case and the dangers police officers face daily in denying criminals use of the roads.”
Additional Pursuits and Penalties
Reza was also sentenced for three other police pursuits—two in Luton (April and July 2020) and one in Warwickshire (January 2020).
Alongside his custodial sentence, Reza faces a four-year driving ban upon release.
