The Infamous Escapades of Zdzisław Najmrodzki

Poland’s master car thief

Zdzisław Najmrodzki grew up in a small village in South Central Poland, born into a family of four boys. His early years were tough as his father left at a young age. These struggles brought him close to his mother, Sabina. Najmrodzki faced more hardship as a boy; a near-drowning incident at a local reservoir left him with a noticeable lisp.

He was bullied at school due to this, and then his protective mother withdrew him from school. Then, he joined a school for auto mechanics, where he discovered a passion for fast cars — a love that would shape his future. After completing his certification, he was drafted into the Polish People’s Army in 1973.

He stood out for his physical abilities during his service, especially as a Grenadier. His talents won him the favor of his commanding officers, granting him freedoms not typical for an average soldier. However, a change in the army’s grenade types resulted in a shoulder injury for Najmrodzki, hindering his ability to continue powerlifting.

From Mechanic to Master Thief

After his military service, Najmrodzki started working as a mechanic in a garage in the city of Livitse. He and his team specialized in stealing high-end cars from showrooms and rich people. They would break into car dealerships, quickly disable the security systems, and then hotwire the vehicles. Najmrodzki could start a car without its key in just a few seconds. After stealing the cars, they either sold them at low prices to regular people or took them apart to sell the parts.

Najmrodzki was smart about these thefts. He made sure his team also stole the documents and stamps needed to make the cars look legally bought. This made it easier to sell the stolen cars without getting caught. However, in 1977, he got into trouble with the law for the first time. He claimed to be defending himself against a drunk and aggressive police officer.

However, the court didn’t believe his story and sentenced him to 18 months in prison. This experience changed Najmrodzki. He decided that if the world saw him as a criminal, he might as well embrace it. In prison, he didn’t waste time. He sharpened his skills in the prison workshop, working on cars and planning for the future. Najmrodzki’s career in crime began in earnest after his release. He quickly proved his ingenuity and daring.

Najmrodzki’s Daring Dodges

Najmrodzki wasn’t just known for his skills as a car thief; he was also famous for his incredible ability to escape from the police. One of his most daring escapes happened when he was on a train with two police officers. Najmrodzk used his charm to convince the officers to uncuff him so they could all enjoy some beers and cigarettes together. As the officers relaxed, Najmrodzki saw his chance.

He quickly jumped out of the slow-moving train’s window, escaping and returning to Livitse, where his friends helped him hide. But Najmrodzki’s escapes didn’t stop there. He once got arrested at a hotel after a waiter, upset with him, informed the police. Even in handcuffs, Najmrodzki didn’t give up. He waited for the right moment, then made a run for it. He dashed across the street and dived into a nearby river. He swam across, losing the police in the process.

His most audacious escape was from a jail in Warsaw. He managed to get the jail’s blueprint to his associates outside. They partially sawed off the bars on his cell window. Then, in broad daylight, Najmrodzki pushed out the weakened bars and slipped through the window to freedom. This escape made headlines across Poland. It made him a hero to some and a major headache to the police. Each escape added to his legend, making him a symbol of defiance against the authorities.