Budapest police began pursuing the stolen vehicle a few streets away after the theft was reported. The thief did not comply with calls to halt, but drove halfway across the city.

More police cars joined the chase, but the van kept on going through a number of towns until it was driven onto a roundabout on route 4 near Karcag, in Jász county and got stuck.

During the chase the thief violated several rules, and deliberately smashed the van against one of the police cars.

Other police cars were also damaged. but nobody was injured, police said.

The culprit, a 34-year-old man, was ordered to take a breathalyser test which proved positive.

He was taken into detention by the Sixth District police.