A DRIVER who “thought he was playing Grand Theft Auto” dived into a river in a last-ditch bid to evade circling police officers.

The driver ended up decamping from the vehicle he was manoeuvering recklessly on a golf course after toppling over a grass verge before fleeing on foot.

Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras in Colchester flagged up a Mini being driven near the city while having cloned number plates.

Officers from Essex Police’s North Disruptor Team managed to locate the vehicle moments later and made an attempt to stop it on the A12.

But the driver showed no sign of slowing down during the efforts to intervene.

“The driver, perhaps believing he was playing Grand Theft Auto, decided he didn’t want to stop for police and made off,” said a police spokesman.

The vehicle was then pursed before the “pretend Stig” miscalculated a corner on Bakers Lane, Colchester, and toppled over a grass verge onto Lexden Wood Golf Club.

Gazette: Entrance - Lexden Wood Golf ClubEntrance - Lexden Wood Golf Club

The spokesman added: “Some say he could do with ‘driving’ lessons”.

He quickly fled on foot and, initially, officers could not put their finger on where he had made off to or may be hiding.

An extensive search was then carried out by the force while sweltering temperatures hit 30C as they attempted to locate the evasive motorist.

He was eventually located “fully submerged” in a river during a final attempt to avoid his capture.

A man was later charged with single counts of careless driving, failing to stop for the police, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.

“Our officers were able to locate the male who had decided to hide by fully submerging himself in a river, some say he needed to cool off after his long run,” added the spokesman.

“Unlike in GTA, our pretend Stig will now face the real-life consequences of his actions as he was arrested and charged.

“Some say he had a bad day.”