In a remarkable incident in Gwinnett County, Georgia, law enforcement officers apprehended a 38-year-old man following an extraordinary chase. The man, now facing multiple charges including criminal trespass, theft by taking, fleeing or attempting to elude, reckless driving, criminal damage to property, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer, allegedly commandeered a large construction vehicle.
The pursuit began when officers responded to a call from a waste management business on Corley Road at approximately 11 a.m. on a Saturday. They discovered that a former employee had absconded with a yellow front loader, weighing 75,000 pounds, and was recklessly driving it around the property. Police released a video capturing the tense moments as an officer repeatedly shouted at the driver to halt, to no avail.
“Stop, stop, stop! Hey! Stop!” the officer is heard yelling in the footage. Despite his efforts, including radioing in for assistance, the officer admitted, “I have no way of stopping this vehicle.”
The chase escalated as the driver veered off the property and onto Corley Road, with police sirens blaring in the background as officers pursued the front loader through the streets. The Gwinnett County Police described the man’s driving as erratic, highlighting the unpredictability of his movements amidst heavy traffic. An officer, astounded by the unfolding scene, remarked, “This is unbelievable.”
As the pursuit continued, additional law enforcement agencies joined the effort to apprehend the fleeing driver. In a strategic move, police returned to the business to procure another construction vehicle capable of intervening.
The chase reached a dramatic conclusion near Singleton Road and Robin Hill, approximately five miles from the initial location. There, the pursuing front loader managed to tip the stolen vehicle onto its side, effectively ending the chase.
Following his arrest, the man was taken to a hospital for evaluation before being booked into the Gwinnett County Jail. This unusual police pursuit not only showcased the determination of the officers involved but also highlighted the lengths to which some will go to evade capture.