It seems that the US has been a recent target of a strange criminal underworld that deals exclusively with the use of heavy machinery.
Backhoe Loader. Credit: Dr. Zachi Evenor
It may be a result of my true crime fascination, but whenever I browse for news in Toronto all I really see are violent crimes: teens getting arrested for stabbings; a car accident that fatally wounded people; random assaults at TTC stations, etc.. Although they are definitely interesting, I would like see some feel-good stories or wackier news that didn’t result in death and make me feel sad. My complaints have finally been answered when I found a string of news showcasing a strange crime trend coming from our neighbours in the United States.
A neighbourhood in Sacramento was left puzzled after loud, blaring sirens were thought to be a sign of a major crime, but was later revealed to be a slow-speed chase between the police and a man in a stolen forklift.
Stolen forklift being chased in Sacramento. Credit: KCRA-TV
Around midnight, Sacramento police noticed a forklift driving down a road. After failing to pull them over, it lead to what one resident noted was the slowest chase they ever heard of, even adding, “How fast can he be going?”
Another heavy machinery heist took place recently in Seattle, where locals saw a man in an excavator uprooting trees and destroying a public park. The reason? It was all in a quest to build a cabin.
Pictures at the scene in Seattle. Credit: New York Post
He claimed to have had permission to do so, but given the picture of his arrest I think its safe to say he was missing some qualifications. The result of his park conquest didn’t result in a brand new cabin fit for a king, but rather resulted in the undoing of “hundreds of hours of volunteer work” done to reforest the place.
While we’re talking about excavators, Florida, being no stranger to odd events, was also hit by a excavator thief. He hotwired an excavator and started going bonkers; he left a path of destruction as he created chaos using his new construction toy, causing $2 million in damages
Excavator crashed into Florida Walmart, mugshot of culprit. Credit: WEAR-TV
His reign was over when he crashed into a Walmart and was arrested. At least Walmart started renovating this year; the excavator plowing down the front of the Walmart probably helped them save money and live better.
Now I know: If Toronto news ever makes me feel down, I just gotta pull up a headline from Florida.
Read more below!
Florida man’s wild excavator joyride ends in Walmart wreck
Person in stolen forklift leads Sacramento police on chase: “How fast can he be going?”
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