Philadelphia man arrested after allegedly committing a forklift crime in Delaware County

TINICUM TWP., Pa. (WPVI) — A Philadelphia man is facing charges after police say he went on a rampage with a forklift in Delaware County.

On Thursday around 5:30 p.m., police were called to the Denny’s for a report of a theft involving a man wearing wet, muddy clothing. That man was later identified as 39-year-old William Martin.

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

Around 6:11 p.m., Tinicum Township police were called to the Clarion Hotel on Industrial Highway for a report of a forklift accident. A woman claims the man was making donuts, lost control and rammed the forklift into her Ford Explorer before speeding away.

Minutes later, police were called to the nearby Springhill Suites for another accident involving a forklift. The hotel shuttle bus was rammed, causing extensive 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 say a man stole Gatorade and cigarettes, threatened the people inside with a fire extinguisher and then drove away on a forklift.

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

“He must have had the forks pretty high,” said Joseph Maggitti, who witnessed the aftermath of the crash into the church.

He was amazed at how far the man could drive the forklift on busy roads.

“He made it this far without getting caught?” Maggitti asked.

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