WATCH: Suspect driving stolen forklift leads Simpsonville officers on chase

SIMPSONVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - The Simpsonville Police Department said a drunk driver operating a stolen forklift led officers on a slow chase through Simpsonville on Saturday night.

Officers said they initially responded to Lowe’s Home Improvement on Grandview Drive after the suspect allegedly drove off with a forklift parked at the store.

Soon after, officers found the suspect driving the forklift on Fairview Road and attempted to pull him over. However, they said he refused to stop.

One officer then sped ahead, parked his car and began running beside the forklift, telling the suspect to stop. Eventually, another officer forced the suspect to stop by driving ahead of the forklift, and parking his vehicle in its way.

According to officers, the suspect was placed in handcuffs, and it became apparent that he was very intoxicated. He explained to officers that he had only borrowed the forklift because the keys were left in the ignition, according to the incident report.

The suspect, Devon Christopher Pawlus, was taken into custody and charged with grand larceny, public intoxication and strong-arm robbery. He is currently being held at the Greenville County Detention Center.

Copyright 2022 WHNS. All rights reserved.