A shocking incident occurred in Oregon when a man stole a delivery truck with a female employee still inside. The theft took place early in the morning on November 15, and the Milwaukie Police were alerted to the situation. The truck belonged to Elephants Delicatessen and was being loaded by employees when the suspect seized the opportunity to jump into the truck and drive off.
Terrifying security footage captured the moment when the suspect drove away in the truck, leaving the employee in the cargo area. The employee, identified as Esmeralda, recounted the harrowing experience of holding on for dear life as the truck accelerated. She was forced to jump off the moving vehicle to escape harm, fortunately only sustaining minor injuries.
Despite the truck being equipped with a GPS tracking device, officers initially could not locate it after conducting a search of the area. However, later in the day, the deli’s employees reported spotting the van in Portland through the GPS tracking system. With the help of the Beaverton Police Department, the stolen truck was finally located, and the suspect, Forrest Lee Guayante, was apprehended inside.
In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, Guayante allegedly rammed a police car with the stolen truck before abandoning it due to heavy traffic. He then fled on foot through various parking lots and neighborhood yards. Thanks to the efforts of law enforcement and a police K-9 unit, Guayante was eventually tracked down and taken into custody.
The consequences of his actions were severe, as Guayante now faces a slew of charges including unauthorized use of a vehicle, reckless endangering, attempt to elude, hit-and-run, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine. Additionally, he has been charged with kidnapping, criminal mischief, theft, and fraudulent use of a credit card by the Milwaukie Police Department.
This alarming incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers faced by employees working in the delivery industry. It also underscores the importance of implementing stringent security measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future. The swift response and collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies were crucial in ensuring the safe apprehension of the suspect and bringing him to justice.