Residents of Wolverhampton witnessed a scene of extraordinary chaos on the evening of November 8, as a 24-tonne stolen bulldozer smashed through a Royal Mail lorry that was being used as a police roadblock.
Chaos on Willenhall Road
The dramatic event unfolded on Willenhall Road, where stunned onlookers filmed as police officers ran along the pavement. A large Royal Mail lorry had been strategically parked across the road in an attempt to bring the rogue earthmover to a halt.
Eyewitness Charlene Harris, 47, who had been in The Merry Boys Inn pub, described the moment a crowd rushed outside to see the commotion. "When we came out, it looked like the police were stopping the Royal Mail van, but then we realised a copper was driving it," she said. "It was being used to block the road. The police were shouting at everyone to keep away."
The Bulldozer Breaks Through
Moments later, shouts from the public alerted everyone to the approaching stolen bulldozer. Video evidence shows the massive machine thundering down the road and ramming the Royal Mail lorry out of its path, forcing it into roadside railings.
"The bulldozer got through the lorry easily. We couldn't believe what was going on," Harris recounted. "The amount of police trying to stop it was unbelievable."
West Midlands Police confirmed they received calls from the public shortly before 6pm and rushed to intercept the earthmover, which was causing significant damage to road surfaces and street furniture during its destructive journey.
Arrest and Charges
The bulldozer's rampage finally came to an end on New Road, Willenhall, at 8.15pm. Police subsequently arrested a 41-year-old man who remains in custody.
The suspect faces a long list of allegations, including:
- Drink driving and dangerous driving
- Theft of the bulldozer
- Threat to damage or destroy property
- Failure to stop for police
- Using threatening or abusive behaviour
The machine had travelled through Wolverhampton city centre, along Bridgnorth Road and Compton Road West, and even onto the busy A4150 dual carriageway before its eventual stop, leaving a trail of disruption and disbelief.
