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Man arrested after alleged forklift fire in Pennsylvania
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Man arrested after alleged forklift fire in Pennsylvania

TINICUM TWP., Pa. — A Pennsylvania man is facing charges after police say he went on a rampage with a forklift near Philadelphia.

On Thursday around 5:30 p.m., police were called to a Denny’s in Delaware County for a report of a shoplifting involving a man with wet and muddy clothes. The man was later identified as 39-year-old William Martin.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by Action News, after Martin left Denny’s, he walked down the street to a warehouse owned by Esstech, 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 an accident involving a forklift. A woman claims the man was making doughnuts, lost control and slammed the forklift into the Ford Explorer before driving off.

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

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

“The forks must have been pretty high,” said Joseph Maggitti, who witnessed the collapse in the church.

He was surprised at how far the man was able to drive the forklift on busy roads.

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

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

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