12-year-old arrested after stolen forklift pursuit in Washtenaw Co., police say
Jakkar AimeryA 12-year-old is in custody after allegedly stealing a forklift weighing 35,000 pounds and striking nearly 10 vehicles over the weekend, the Ann Arbor Police Department said.
The Ann Arbor youth, whose name was not released, was booked at the Washtenaw County Youth Center. No injuries were reported.
Around 6:45 p.m. Saturday, officers responded to Forsyth Middle School at 1655 Newport Road in Ann Arbor on reports of a youth attempting to steal a Genie GTH-636 Telehandler forklift vehicle, police said in a statement on Monday. The vehicle, which did not have its lights on, was spotted moments later headed south on Brooks Street near Pearl Street, prompting a pursuit.
Topping speeds between 15 to 20 mph, Ann Arbor police tried to stop the construction vehicle as it traveled through the Georgetown Boulevard neighborhood, striking approximately 10 parked vehicles, police said.
Just before 7:20 p.m., deputies from the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office took over the pursuit, following the forklift until the vehicle stopped at approximately 7:53 p.m. in the area of M-14 and Gotfredson Road.
The suspect was taken into custody, police said.
The youth accessed the unlocked forklift at Forsyth Middle School, where it was parked, according to police. The forklift's keys were hidden in the forklift's cab. It was unclear how the youth found the forklift's keys in the cab, police said.
Ann Arbor Public Schools spokesperson Andrew Cluley said that renovation work began at the middle school in the summer of 2022 and is expected to be completed next spring. The building remains open during the school year while work continues. The forklift is not AAPS property, Cluley said.
Police said the Genie GTH-636 Telehandler forklift can weigh up to 35,000 pounds. According to the company's website, the vehicle weighs around 17,600 pounds, adding that "weight will vary depending on options and/or country standards."
A "criminal" investigation is ongoing.
"This was a very dangerous situation that could’ve easily ended with serious injuries," police said.
jaimery@detroitnews.com