Two teenagers were arrested in Clermont over the weekend after they were allegedly caught operating a stolen forklift.
On Sunday, May 12, at around 2 a.m., Clermont Police Department officers were dispatched to the area of Johns Lake Road and Cross Ridge in reference to a suspicious forklift that was being driven on the roadway, according to CPD.
Upon arrival, the officers observed a large forklift on the roadway that was being operated by two teenagers. When the officers attempted to stop the forklift, one of the teens fled on foot while the other proceeded to back the forklift into a CPD patrol vehicle.
The impact of the collision caused a “substantial amount of damage” to the patrol vehicle.
After a short foot pursuit, both teens were detained by officers. They were identified as a 15-year-old boy from Clermont and a 14-year-old boy from Winter Park.
Both teens were arrested and charged with grand theft ($100,000 or more), trespassing on a posted construction site, and resisting arrest without violence. After being charged, they were returned to their parents.
The police department stated that the stolen Telehandler Forklift, which weighed over 33,000 pounds, was returned to its owner.