The low-speed chase. PHOTO: YOUTUBE

It's unlikely Cat will use the footage as a demonstration of its forklifts' speed and agility, but video of a California police chase has gone viral.

The chase of what appears to be an older Cat forklift began when someone on Sports Arena Boulevard flagged a police patrol over a woman driving a forklift in heavy traffic.

What followed was a low-speed chase which eventually involved five police cruisers.

The pursuit ended when a bystander walked to the forklift and removed the keys from the ignition.

The driver was arrested and charged with failure to yield. The manufacturer whose truck was used probably has grounds for an action involving reputational damage.

Check out the "chase" here.