HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A man was arrested Sunday after he allegedly stole a forklift and led Harris County Sheriff’s deputies on a chase through the Hardy Toll Road in north Harris County, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said in a tweet that callers reported a “man on a tractor” traveling on Hardy Road in Aldine Sunday afternoon.
Later, a HCSO sergeant was dispatched to stop the man, who Gonzalez said he initially thought the man was “perhaps a riding lawnmower,” but instead found him riding a green-colored forklift on the mainlanes of the Hardy Toll Road.
Never a dull moment. Anyone in the greater Aldine area missing a tractor? Callers reported a male on a tractor, traveling on Hardy Rd, attempting to enter main lanes of the tollway. Our Sgt imagined perhaps a riding lawnmower, but to his surprise, he instead found a male 1/3 pic.twitter.com/sAix0s0X7Z
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) April 4, 2022
The sergeant attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the man, but he refused, leading deputies on a 20-minute chase with top speeds of 18 miles per hour.
The forklift finally came to a stop at Hardy and Egypt Streets and deputies were able to arrest the man without incident.
Deputies determined that the forklift was reported as stolen. Sheriff Gonzalez later tweeted that the forklift was returned to its owner.
Sheriff Gonzalez identified the man as Justin David Brown, 38. He was charged for evading.
stolen, and units are attempting to locate the owner. Justin David Brown (38) was charged with evading. #HouNews #lesm 3/3
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) April 4, 2022