Man allegedly involved in forklift crime arrested in Pennsylvania

TINICUM TWP., Pa. — A Pennsylvania man faces charges after police say he attacked a forklift near Philadelphia.

Around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, police were called to a Denny’s in Delaware County for a report of a theft involving a man in a wet muddy suit. This man was later identified as 39-year-old William Martin.

After leaving Denny’s, Martin went down the street to an Esstech warehouse, where he sprayed fire extinguishers and stole a forklift, according to a criminal complaint obtained by Action News.

At approximately 6:11 p.m., Tinicum Township police were called to the Clarion Hotel on Industrial Highway for a report of a crash involving a forklift. A woman claimed the man was making donuts, lost control and crashed the forklift into her Ford Explorer before driving away.

Minutes later, police were called to the nearby Springhill Suites for another accident involving a forklift. It crashed into the hotel’s shuttle bus, causing major damage to the vehicle.

At 6:15 p.m., Ridley Township police were called to the Wawa on East Chester Pike for a theft. Employees said a man stole Gatorade and cigarettes, threatened people inside with a fire extinguisher, and then drove away in a forklift.

Police found the forklift after it crashed into the Rehobeth Afaan Oromo Church down the street. It caused serious damage to the building and Martin was found inside. Police said he sprayed a fire extinguisher inside the shelter.

Joseph Maggitti, who witnessed what happened after the accident that hit the church, said, “He must have lifted the forks quite high.”

He was surprised to see how far the man could move the forklift on busy roads.

“Did he get this far without being caught?” asked Maggitti.

William faces a long list of charges including burglary, theft, criminal trespass and criminal mischief.