Forklift Hero: Ohio Operator Lifts Alleged Car Thief 20 Feet in the Air Until Police Arrive

 In a bizarre incident at a wrecking yard in Ohio, a forklift operator showed quick thinking and bravery as he lifted a man along with the car he was allegedly trying to steal, keeping the SUV hanging about 20 feet off the ground until the police arrived. The extraordinary scene was captured on a bodycam footage and has since garnered attention from around the world.

According to reports from the New York Post, the forklifter carefully lowered the car, with the alleged thief still inside, so the officers could apprehend him. Despite being caught red-handed, the suspect defiantly refused to give his name, stating "None of your business, bro" to one of the officers. The suspect, identified as 26-year-old Alexander Funk, attempted to resist arrest, claiming that he was fleeing from someone.

However, his escape plan was foiled by the timely arrival of law enforcement. The Akron Police Department shared the footage, dated October 17, which showed officers discussing the incident at the jail afterwards. "He broke into a car at the junkyard, and before he could get out, they got like a forklift, and they had him, I’m not kidding, like 20 feet off the ground, so when we got there he went right into custody," one officer amusingly recounted. Business employees at Arlington Auto Wrecking, where the incident took place, revealed that this was the third time Funk had been involved in a similar crime, but the first time he had been apprehended. It is reported that Funk has been charged with criminal trespassing and possessing criminal tools.

The 911 call made by an employee at the business further highlighted the absurdity of the situation. "So, he’s still in the car about 20 feet in the air in the loader," the employee told the dispatcher. In an unexpected turn, the 911 operator responded with enthusiasm, saying, "Wonderful, that is the greatest thing I’ve ever heard. We will get somebody out to you." This extraordinary event serves as a reminder of the unexpected situations that law enforcement officers and business owners can face, highlighting the need for quick thinking and cooperation. As for Funk, he now faces legal consequences for his failed car theft attempt, while unintentionally providing a spectacle that has fascinated the public.