A Georgia man celebrated his 29th birthday Monday by allegedly getting drunk and stealing a forklift from Wiese Industries in Perry.
Luis Daniel Lopez, 29, of 1402 Willis Ave., Perry, and formerly of Georgia was charged with third-offense OWI, first-degree theft, second-degree burglary and as a fugitive from justice.
Employees of the factory allegedly witnessed Lopez exiting the building on the Yale forklift, with an estimated value of $25,000 to $30,000, and the incident was captured on security camera footage, according to court records.
Lopez was located in the vicinity of the forklift near Eighth and Evelyn streets about 4:30 p.m. after “an anonymous individual” saw Lopez “operating the forklift,” according to court records.
Lopez presented to officers with “bloodshot watery eyes, slurred speech” and an “odor of an alcoholic beverage.” according to court records.
Lopez is held in the Dallas County Jail in advance an of initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
