A Tallahassee man is in custody after police say he carried out an unusual and slow-moving theft involving both a forklift and an ATM early Monday morning. Officers responded to the Birmingham Street area shortly before 5:15 a.m. after a caller reported seeing someone using heavy machinery to haul away the cash machine in the dark.
Police identified the suspect as 38-year-old Joshua Hidalgo, who was arrested a short time later. According to a press release, officers arrived to find evidence linking Hidalgo to the forklift and the ATM, which he had been attempting to transport. The early-morning report described a scene in which the machine was being moved with the forklift, prompting officers to quickly search the area.
Court records show Hidalgo now faces several charges, including burglary of a structure, criminal mischief, resisting an officer without violence, grand theft and possession of burglary tools with intent to use. He was also charged with trespassing on school grounds, according to police.
Investigators believe Hidalgo stole the forklift before using it to lift and relocate the ATM, an effort that offered little chance of a fast escape due to the machine’s limited speed and the size of the equipment involved. Officers were able to track him down not long after the initial call, leading to the arrest.
Police have not released details on where the ATM originated or whether any cash was taken. The incident is still under investigation as officers continue reviewing video, witness accounts and the equipment involved.
Hidalgo remained behind bars as of Monday, and additional information about his court proceedings is expected to be released by local authorities as the case moves forward.
About the Author
