He was unaware that his Ferrari, leased for €2,000 a month, had been stolen and left the police station on foot.

Easter weekend was supposed to be a weekend of relaxation for this man from Toulouse, who had come to enjoy the Basque coast. At the wheel of a Ferrari 812 red rented for several months, he certainly didn't expect to experience a misadventure worthy of an improbable scenario. However, on Monday morning in Biarritz, France, during a routine roadside check, the police made an unexpected discovery: the Ferrari is reported stolen.

A rented Ferrari... reported stolen

The operation was part of the regular checks carried out by the national police force, which is particularly active during the tourist season. But this time, the vehicle did not go unnoticed. A Ferrari is bound to attract attention, and checks soon reveal a major problem.

The driver explains that he has been renting the car for around €2,000 a month for several months. So far, nothing unusual. But behind the scenes, the situation was far more complex. The rental company in Toulouse, the intermediary in this affair, was no longer making payments to the vehicle's true owner. Faced with this situation, the latter took a radical decision: declare the Ferrari stolen to prevent the vehicle from disappearing.

An innocent driver... but a seized car

Taken to the Biarritz police station for an interview, the tenant was stunned. The police quickly confirmed that he was in no way responsible for the situation. For him, it was a complete bad surprise. But despite his good faith, the procedure is clear: the Ferrari is immediately immobilized, then impounded. The contrast is striking. Having set off for a weekend at the wheel of an Italian supercar, the man finds himself forced to set off again... on foot.

A case that could go much further

While the driver is not at fault, the rental company could face legal consequences. Prosecution for breach of trust is envisaged, in addition to civil litigation with the vehicle owner.

For the police, the operation once again illustrates the need for vigilance, even during festive periods. In Biarritz, where Easter is a busy time, checks are carried out regularly. With a touch of irony, the police summed up the affair on social networks as «an unforgettable egg hunt».