In Prague's Smíchov, in the street Na Valentince, an unknown perpetrator set fire to a parked luxury Rolls-Royce Ghost. The damage caused by the fire exceeds one million crowns. The case attracted media attention because of the value of the damaged car and because the act was captured by security cameras, on the basis of whose published footage the police are searching for the perpetrator.[1][2][3]*

Course of the act

According to the police, the perpetrator arrived at the vehicle at around half past four in the morning, dressed in overalls, with a face covering, a respirator, a cap and a backpack.[3] From a bottle he poured an unknown flammable substance over the car's windscreen, set the vehicle on fire and then fled the scene.[3] Police spokesman Jan Rybanský stated that the perpetrator "poured an unknown flammable substance over the car and set it on fire. When the vehicle was engulfed in flames, he ran away."[1] The firefighters who responded managed to extinguish the fire before it completely destroyed the vehicle, but the damage still exceeded one million crowns.[2]

Discrepancy in the date of the act

The sources differ on the day on which the fire occurred. According to Blesk.cz, firefighters were dispatched to a car fire in the street Na Valentince in the early hours of 10 September.[2] Pražská Drbna reported on the case only on 2 October 2026, without stating the specific date of the arson attack itself.[3] Pražský deník likewise does not specify the date and limits itself to stating that the act took place at around 4:30 in the morning.[1]

Police search

Investigators secured camera footage from the scene, which shows the entire act and the perpetrator himself, although a respirator covers a substantial part of his face.[2] The police called on the public to identify the man from the footage if possible and to contact the 158 line.[2][3] Spokesman Rybanský also called on the perpetrator himself to come to any police station in Prague and explain his actions.[1]

Legal classification

The case is being investigated as the criminal offence of damage to another's property, which, upon apprehension and conviction, carries a prison sentence of up to three years.[1][2][3]

Related articles: Smíchov

Chronology

  • — An unknown perpetrator set fire to a luxury Rolls-Royce car in Prague's Smíchov district; the damage exceeds one million crowns. Pražský deník Blesk.cz

Sources

  1. Pražský deník — 2 October 2026
  2. Blesk.cz — 2 October 2026
  3. Pražská Drbna — 2 October 2026