A man is facing criminal charges after a boom lift was stolen from a construction site and taken for a joyride on the streets of Delta, B.C., over the weekend. According a statement from the Delta Police Department, officers received a report of the cherry picker device being driven “erratically” in Tsawwassen just before midnight on Sunday. The vehicle, typically used to raise workers and their tools off the ground during construction, had struck street signs and caused property damage as it was “recklessly driven” through the community, the statement said. According to police reports, the suspect had approached residents to ask for directions to the nearest liquor store, before abandoning the machine and running into a nearby cornfield. Delta police, with the help of police dogs and a drone team, were able to locate the suspect and arrest him “without injury to the public,” the statement said. The driver was arrested for breaking and entering, theft of over $5,000 and mischief. He has since been released and is due to appear in court. The boom lift was located and safely returned to the construction site, police said. “Thanks to the quick thinking of community members who called this in, and the swift response of our frontline officers, this dangerous situation was brought to a safe conclusion,” said Sgt. Mike Whiteley.
