A man is facing a stack of charges after a dangerous dash with a stolen forklift.
At around 5am, Police were called to a commercial yard in Wiri.
“Workers at the yard saw a man slip through the opened gate and get into a truck,” Senior Sergeant Clint McCarthy, Counties Manukau Central Area Response Manager, says.
“He was confronted by a staff member, so the man jumped out of the truck and onto a nearby forklift.”
The alleged offender then drove through the yard and smashed through the gates, which had now been closed, to make an escape.
“Luckily he has not hit any workers who were in the yard at the time,” Senior Sergeant McCarthy says.
“He continued on down Roscommon Road in the forklift.”
Eagle monitored the driver as he made his way to Weymouth.
“Units have successfully spiked the rear tyres, which was no easy task,” Senior Sergeant McCarthy says.
“The forklift managed to travel a short distance further before coming to a stop on Hazards Road.”
The alleged offender attempted to run but surrendered quickly once units arrived.
“The man was taken into custody without further incident,” Senior Sergeant McCarthy says.
“It’s a miracle no one was hurt, this was reckless behaviour and this man will now face the consequences of his actions in court.”
A 39-year-old man was due to appear in the Manukau District Court today charged with burglary, unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, failing to stop, driving while disqualified and driving with excess breath alcohol.
Dukes big day out
He just needed a lift