Man In Stolen Crane Leads Police In Chase Taking Out Power Lines, Power Poles And Traffic Signals
RANCHO CORDOVA (CBS13) – A man has been arrested after stealing a massive crane and leading officers on a slow-speed chase while lifting the boom, taking out power lines, power poles and a traffic signal before surrendering, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The pursuit began at Highway 16 and Sunrise Boulevard after the man took the crane from a construction yard and down the highway at 20 mph around 1 Thursday morning.
During the 10-mile pursuit, the suspect raised the boom on the crane and police had to fall back as it ripped out power lines, knocked over at least 10 power poles and took out a traffic signal.
"As he's going down the road, the boom is raising at the same time, taking out power lines, street lights, signal lights," said a CHP Sgt. Diego Flores.
The suspect finally surrendered at Meiss and Dillard roads. CHP officers say the man was calm when he was arrested and they do not believe drugs or alcohol were involved. But what would possess him to steal a crane?
"Yeah it's an unusual one," Flores said. "It kinda reminds me of the pursuit down south with the tank but this one is far bigger."
Dillard Road and Highway 16 were shut down for more than four hours as crews worked to clear the mess left in the wake of the bizarre pursuit.
"Very bizarre, and now there's no phone service, no power, nothing," witness Dave Smith said. "Just hope we get the power back on before the ice cream melts in the freezer."
Smith said at first he thought the police were escorting the crane.
"Boom truck driving by with about 20 cop cars behind it, clipping all the poles off," he said.
Around 6:30 a.m., the crane was hauled back to the construction yard from which it was stolen.
SMUD says the crane took down 10 power poles, knocking out power to about 284 customers.
The suspect, whose name has not yet been released, is facing numerous charges.
