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Man Who Needed Something to Drive Takes Forklift from Marina

March 24, 2017

Authorities say that a man is facing a number of criminal charges in Florida following an incident involving a forklift that occurred on March 9. According to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the man allegedly stole a forklift from a marina in Marathon because he could not find his keys and needed something to drive. At the site, the eyewitness who had called the sheriff’s office told the responding officer that he had observed the forklift heading in the direction of the Sandal Factory on Ocean Terrance.

Officials had first been made aware of the incident at approximately 9 p.m. when the eyewitness contacted law enforcement officials to report that someone in a forklift was tearing through a fence at Marina Junction. After one official arrived at the scene, the man was detained by a second deputy in the vicinity of 51st Street.

During the investigation that followed, the man indicated that he had chosen to take the forklift because he was familiar with its operation. He also told deputies that he was a genius and would thus be able to fix the damaged marina gates. Deputies reported that the man appeared to be intoxicated, so a breath test was administered. When results showed a BAC of double the legal limit, the 44-year-old man was taken into custody and booked.

A resident of Rhode Island, the man says that he came to Florida in order to help friends move here. Now, he has been charged with DUI with property damage, burglary, criminal mischief and grand theft. Whether a local resident or a visitor from out of town, individuals who find themselves facing drunk driving charges in this state may find it beneficial to seek representation from a criminal defense lawyer. If any constitutional rights were violated during the stop that led to the arrest, the lawyer could work to have the charges dismissed.

Source: Q13 FOX, “Drunk man steals forklift because he couldn’t find his car keys“, March 11, 2017