Mechanic who was meant to fix a cop car takes it drag racing instead – and gets busted

A mechanic is facing charges after he was caught red-handed drag-racing a police car he was meant to be test driving. The 22-year-old was captured on video taking off in a Ford belonging to the local sheriff’s department and has admitted his guilt, according to a report.

Matthew Means, 22, was testing the vehicle for the repair shop he works for when he was filmed racing a Dodge Challenger off the lights in Toledo, Ohio on September 8. He has been charged with unauthorised use of a vehicle.

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The video, which was taken by a driver positioned behind the two drag-racing cars, shows the marked cop car revving at the red light as it prepares to face off with the Dodge. 

The woman who filmed the clip was hoping the police vehicle would stop any dangerous driving, only to get a nasty shock when the lights turned green. She filed a complaint with local officers, and a detective traced the police vehicle back to the workshop.

“Prior to a light, she noticed a car driving recklessly and then felt relieved when she saw a marked sheriff’s office unit sitting at the light and thought, ‘Well, I’m gonna see if this guy is going to keep driving reckless,’” said Captain Robert Chromik of the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office.

“Once he [the detective] went to find out who during this time frame may have had that vehicle, unfortunately it was one of their youngest repair techs.”

Chromik explained that Means’ behaviour was especially concerning because it occurred close to a museum that is frequented by families and kids. 

“The museum caters to all members of our community, including children who are going to be crossing the street, and you decided you’re going to drag race with this other vehicle? That’s a problem. Thankfully, nobody was hurt,” Chromik said.

“We sent it in for maintenance and he decided he was going to do qualifying laps on Monroe Street like it was Talladega, and that’s dangerous.”