Man Crashes Truck Into McDonald's Trying to Steal a Safe

MEMPHIS, TN -- Police say a man has been charged for crashing a truck into an East Memphis McDonald’s restaurant to steal the safe, leaving a huge hole in the side of the building.
It happened at the McDonald’s on Mendenhall at Winchester Tuesday, September 30, 2008, around 2:30 a.m.

Police say James Norman was trying to steal a safe out of the restaurant, but all he got was a big mess. Investigators charged the 37 year-old with one count of burglary.

According to investigators, Norman crashed the back of a stolen truck into the building, creating a big hole. He then went inside the restaurant and hooked a chain up to the safe and tried to pull it out with the truck. But police say he didn’t make it very far.

Police say the crash tripped the alarm at the restaurant and officers were there shortly after. When they arrived on the scene, they found Norman under the truck and a hole in the building that was about nine feet in diameter, said police. Authorities say Norman tried to run from the officers, but was caught in the parking lot.

According to investigators the truck used in the burglary was reported stolen out of Batesville, Mississippi. Police say Norman was also charged with theft of property over $10,000 for stealing the truck. According to investigators, Norman has a criminal history of stealing vehicles.

The manager of the restaurant says the McDonald’s won’t open up again for at least a couple of days.