Forklift operator held after police chase of up 16 mph

FORT WORTH, Texas -- A Fort Worth man remained in custody Tuesday on suspicion that led police on a brief chase on a forklift through a street and then a highway during the weekend before he stopped on Interstate 30.

Authorities believe the 43-year-old man stole the forklift from a construction site.

Police identified the man as Timothy Raines, who faces at least five charges -- driving while intoxicated, theft, aggravated assault, evading arrest and violation of a protective order.

The incident occurred Sunday afternoon.

Raines is accused of drinking while driving the forklift and at times throwing beer bottles at oncoming traffic.

Police said that Raines almost hit several vehicles, including patrol cars, during the chase, which only reached speeds of 16 mph.

At some point on Interstate 30, Raines got off the forklift. But he put the forklift in reverse and let it go toward patrol cars, police said Tuesday.

Officers were able to jump on the forklift and stopped it before it struck any vehicles.

Raines has a criminal history in Tarrant County. Before Sunday, Raines had been arrested eight times since 2004, according to Tarrant County criminal court records.

Records showed that Raines' arrests were for burglary, criminal trespass, evading arrest, assault and violation of protective orders.

Police said Raines also has previous arrests for DWI.

The chase was recorded by 25-year-old Nathan Lowery of Fort Worth who later posted it on YouTube.

"We are investigating the individuals who shot the video," said police Sgt. Pedro Criado in an email on Tuesday.

Criado said that they not only put themselves in danger but also the residents around them. Police also believe the people who recorded the chase violated traffic laws.

Lowery said that the only traffic law that he broke was that he didn't use a turn signal.

"Fort Worth police may just be looking at this because I recorded them using a Taser," Lowery said Tuesday.

(c) 2011, Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Visit the Star-Telegram, www.star-telegram.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

 

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