The Public Security Police (PSP) arrested a local man on Sunday for car theft, drink-driving, and hit-and-run, PSP spokeswoman Kong Chi Ian said during a regular press conference yesterday.
Kong identified the suspect as a construction worker in his fifties, surnamed Lei.
According to Kong, at around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, PSP officers received a report from a Macao Customs Service (SA) officer regarding a traffic accident on Rua do Dr. Lourenço Pereira Marques (比厘喇馬忌士街) in the Inner Harbour. The officer stated that while on duty, he noticed damage to a light vehicle and a heavy goods vehicle parked on the roadside, as well as damage to the metal gate of a nearby company premises, leading him to suspect that a traffic accident had occurred there.
Kong said that PSP officers identified Lei through the city’s CCTV system and on-site surveillance footage. She added that the footage showed the man opening the door of a light vehicle, getting in, and driving forward before colliding with a vehicle in front. While reversing, Lei then struck a company’s metal gate, after which he got out of the vehicle and left the scene. Police arrested Lei near Pátio do Piloto (帶水圍) in the Inner Harbour area at around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Lei was found to have a strong smell of alcohol on his breath during the interception, and a breathalyser test returned a reading of 1.53 grammes per litre, indicating that he had been driving under the influence of alcohol, according to Kong.
Lei told PSP officers that he had been walking along the street that evening and, having previously worked nearby, knew that some vehicles were left unlocked, Kong said.
Lei therefore randomly chose an unlocked vehicle to get into and sleep, the spokeswoman said, adding that upon discovering that the keys had not been removed from the ignition, he “had some fun” and attempted to drive the vehicle, despite not holding a driving licence. He subsequently collided with another vehicle and then struck a metal gate while reversing. He denied drink-driving, insisting that he had only purchased alcoholic drinks after leaving the scene. However, surveillance footage showed that he was holding alcoholic beverage bottle before the incident.
Lei has been transferred to the Public Prosecutions Office (MP), facing charges of vehicle theft, avoiding responsibility, and drink-driving.
This undated handout photo provided by the Public Security Police (PSP) yesterday shows a PSP officer escorting the drink-driving suspect into a police station.
