Georgia Man Arrested After Wild Chase with Stolen Frontloader

In Gwinnett County, Georgia, authorities pursued a 38-year-old man, Eddie Sanchez, who had reportedly stolen a 75,000-pound frontloader from a waste management facility. The incident escalated into a high-speed chase with a second frontloader, resulting in Sanchez's apprehension.

How Did This Happen?

According to officials, the events began around 11 a.m. on Saturday at a waste management business located on Corley Road in unincorporated Norcross. Sanchez, a former employee of the facility, allegedly commandeered the massive construction vehicle and began maneuvering it around the property. Despite attempts by both police and current employees to intervene, Sanchez proved uncooperative, prompting him to flee the scene in the stolen frontloader.

Read More: Georgia Man Says His Apple Watch Saved His Life

Dashcam Footage

Dash camera and body camera footage released by authorities showed the pursuit as Sanchez drove the stolen vehicle onto public roads, including Corley Road, Jimmy Carter Boulevard, and Buford Highway.

Despite collaborative efforts involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Norcross Police Department and the Georgia State Patrol, officers were unable to halt the suspect's progress due to the sheer size and power of the frontloader.

An employee of the waste management facility suggested a bold plan to apprehend Sanchez. Armed with another frontloader, capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 mph, officers escorted the employee towards the fleeing suspect, who by then had covered several miles.

Video Here:

Upon reaching the suspect, the pursuing frontloader made contact, ultimately receiving authorization from responding officers to overturn Sanchez's vehicle, effectively halting the chase. The disabled frontloader was later found abandoned miles away from the scene of the initial theft, on Singleton Road and Robin Hill Drive.

Facing Charges

Sanchez now faces charges, including criminal trespassing, reckless driving, theft by taking, fleeing or attempting to elude, criminal damage to property in the second degree, and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Following his arrest, he was evaluated at a local hospital before being booked into the Gwinnett County Jail.

Authorities discovered that Sanchez had been terminated from his position at the waste management facility in September, yet had returned days prior to the incident, engaging in similar behavior on the property without leaving its confines.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and there was no significant damage to other vehicles or patrol cars during the pursuit.

Get our free mobile app