TOBA TEK SINGH, Feb 21: At least four people were injured, two cars and 10 motorcycles damaged when a man said to be mentally retarded went on a ‘joyride’ rashly driving a police vehicle on various roads of Gojra on Tuesday.

He was later overpowered by a youth who chased the vehicle on a rickshaw.

Reports said the man, later identified as Malik Naeem, drove away the official vehicle (4350 TSA) parked outside city police station when most of the staff had gone to perform security duty in connection with chief minister’s visit to Toba, Rajana and Kamalia.

The accused, who was almost naked, rashly drove the vehicle on Quaid Azam Road, National Bank Road, Neem Wali Street and Post Office Road.

Besides seriously injuring Saifullah, Suhail Maseeh, Kashif and Khalil, he hit two cars, one of an ASI Munir Ahmad and the other of PPP leader Rana Nasrullah. The injured were admitted to the THQ hospital.

He also ran the vehicle over three fruit carts and

10 motorcycles, while many people saved themselves by running off the roads.

Later, a youth, Riaz, chased him on a rickshaw and overpowered Nadeem in Charh Muhalla. He was handed over to the police which quoted him as saying that he belonged to Tarbela area.

A source said that the man was handed over to the city police a day back by some citizens for his strange behaviour, but the police had set him free due to his mental condition.

Meanwhile, DPO Akhtar Laleka, taking a serious notice of the incident, suspended driver Khalid. He also deputed a DSP to hold an inquiry into the incident.