Wolverhampton earthmover theft: Everything we know about the remarkable 'Grand Theft Auto' incident
Wolverhampton was the site of an unusual crime as a 24-tonne earthmover was stolen and driven for three hours through the city. Here is everything we know about the events so far.
West Midlands Police officers were made aware of reports that an earthmover had been stolen from an address in Staffordshire, on Saturday, November 8 when it crossed the border into Wolverhampton at around 5.40pm.
What police found:
Officers attempted to stop the construction vehicle as it continued to damage road surfaces and street furniture.
Making its way through the city centre the machine drove through Bridgnorth Road, Compton Road West, and even onto the A4150 dual carriageway.
The earthmover eventually came to stop on New Road, Willenhall at 8.15pm.
Police response:
A man, aged 41, was arrested on suspicion of drink driving, dangerous driving, threat to damage or destroy property, theft, fail to stop, take a conveyance (not a motor vehicle) without consent and using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour to cause harassment.
Darren Coffey has now been charged with dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving a motor vehicle without a licence or insurance and threat to damage or destroy property.
Coffey, from Meryhurst Road, Wednesbury has also been charged with two counts of criminal damage to a property under £5,000, drink driving and aggravated vehicle taking and vehicle damage under £5,000.
