Praha 911!

While I appreciate police corruption and/or incompetence the world over, police in the Czech Republic have to be in the front running for the dubious distinction of most pathetic cops in the world.

A few weeks ago Czech police bungled a raid on a billionaire businessman, Radovan Krejcis, whom they found in his villa but then managed to escape. Many believe the great disappearing act was made possible by the utter stupidity of the Czech cops:

Police have been reluctant to provide details of the operation, but according to some press reports, Krejčífi — who is accused of plotting a murder, fraud and criminal conspiracy — escaped through a window after asking to go to the bathroom.

Later versions of the story, reminiscent of scenes from the Keystone Kops, had it that it was a policeman who went to the toilet, allowing the businessman to flee.

Another variant was that Krejčífi, 36, left through a door that was unguarded, and that his bodyguard was waiting for him in a car behind some bushes.

Meanwhile, the Czech News Agency quoted unnamed witnesses as saying that it took the police up to 10 minutes to notice that Krejčífi was no longer in the house.

Breathtaking.