An attempted car theft in Akron, Ohio took a bizarre turn when the suspect found himself hanging about “20 feet off the ground” in the vehicle he was trying to steal. The incident, captured on police bodycam footage, took place at a local wrecking yard, where the suspect allegedly broke into a car and attempted to drive it away.
The footage shows the suspect stuck in the air, his car suspended by a loader, waiting for officers to arrive. When asked his name, the suspect refused to give it and simply said it was none of the officer’s business. When informed he was under arrest, he asked for what and claimed he was running from someone.
Meanwhile, the officers talked to the business employees, who quickly brought the situation to their attention. The employees, who were identified as Arlington Auto Wrecking, stated that this was not the first time the suspect had attempted to steal a car from their lot. However, it was the first time he had been apprehended.
A 911 call made by the employees further shed light on the incident. “He’s still in the car, about 20 feet in the air in the loader,” the employee told the dispatcher. “Oh, that’s just the greatest thing I’ve ever heard!” the 911 operator responded with a laugh. “We’ll get someone out to you right away.”
According to the employees, this was the third time the suspect, 26-year-old Alexander Funk, had attempted to steal a car from their lot. However, this time, he was caught in the act. The incident, which took place on October 17th, left everyone at the business amazed.
The officers at the scene could not believe their luck when they arrived at the jail with the suspect in custody. “He broke into a car at the junkyard, and before he could get out, he’s done it before, they got like a forklift, and they had him, I’m not kidding, like 20 feet off the ground,” one of the officers can be heard saying, while his colleagues chuckled in disbelief.
Funk has been charged with criminal trespassing and possessing criminal tools. It is unclear if he has legal representation or has issued a statement regarding the incident.
The incident has left the business employees amused, but at the same time, they hope that it serves as a warning to potential thieves. In an interview with WOIO, they urged others not to follow Funk’s example and instead warned that they would use every means necessary to protect their property.
This attempted car theft may have been a foolhardy decision made by Funk, but it has certainly left everyone with a story to tell. Perhaps in the future, he will think twice before attempting to steal from a wrecking yard with a forklift nearby. For now, he remains in custody, and the residents of Akron, Ohio are left with a bizarre and unexpected story to ponder over.
