All a Florida man wanted to do was find his car, but instead he nearly got killed by a traveling train and was then arrested near a forklift and a fruit stand after asking for help. Here's the story.
The 38-year-old gentleman lost his car after visiting a bar so he did the logical thing and stole one, later claiming he needed it to find his own. He then drove the stolen vehicle over train tracks and got the car stuck. Seeing a train approaching, he jumped out of the car and scurried out of harm's way, seconds before the train struck the car and threw it into a nearby house, where people were sleeping (fortunately nobody was injured).
This should be the end of the story, but it's not. Remember, we're in Florida.
The man, still looking for his own car, then spotted a forklift and fruit stand and, after vandalizing the business, he attempted but failed to steal the forklift.
At this point, he decided maybe an officer could help him locate his car, so he flagged one down. He was then arrested.
From AP:
Police said the man claimed he stole the car in a "good faith effort" to search for his own vehicle after leaving a bar early Saturday in Martin County, around 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of West Palm Beach. Instead, he got stuck on the railroad tracks in the path of an oncoming train. …
He was arrested after flagging down responding deputies "to let them know he was still looking for his car," the [police] statement said.
The homeowners were fine, but "the explosive sound of a driverless car smashing into the side of their home was clearly jolting," the sheriff's office said.
The 38-year-old faces charges of grand theft and criminal mischief, and additional charges are expected.
