British soldiers steal 15‑tonne armored vehicle in drunken stunt near London
Two soldiers of the British Army's 26 Engineer Regiment stole a 15‑tonne Bulldog FV432 tracked armored personnel carrier from the Swinton barracks at Perham Down, about 100 km southwest of London, in the early hours of 24 July. After drinking, they drove the vehicle at high speed around the base, knocking over and destroying several civilian cars, including a Vauxhall van and an MG ZS electric vehicle. One of the soldiers managed to park the tracked vehicle precisely in a parking space before returning to the barracks.
The soldiers were apprehended by the Royal Military Police shortly after the incident. The incident was reported by The Sun, and the Army indicated an investigation is ongoing while no further comment will be made until it is completed.
Entities: 26 Engineer Regiment · British Army · Bulldog FV432 · Royal Military Police · Swinton Barracks (Perham Down)
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The soldiers were detained by the Royal Military Police shortly after the incident.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The theft occurred around 1 a.m. after the soldiers had been drinking.
- [● 3 SOURCES] Two soldiers from the 26 Engineer Regiment stole a 15‑tonne Bulldog FV432 tracked armored vehicle from Swinton barracks on 24 July.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The soldiers drove the vehicle near the base, damaging several cars and destroying a Vauxhall van and an MG ZS electric vehicle.
- [● 3 SOURCES] One soldier managed to park the Bulldog precisely in a parking space before returning to the barracks.