Earthmoving

Man steals excavator, damages multiple buildings in Florida

Sept. 15, 2023

Jesse Smith is alleged to have caused damage nearing $2 million.

Jesse Smith, 47, has been arrested after allegedly hotwiring a Komatsu excavator and driving it around Gainesville, Florida. The excavator was driven to a number buildings, where Smith is alleged to have caused damage of up to $2 million. The excavator was driven over fences, a utility pole, and eventually into a WalMart.

According to a police report, after Smith exited the machine armed with a machete, he dropped the weapon and was arrested.

WUFT posted this report:

About the Author

Rod Sutton

Sutton has served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment magazine and ConstructionEquipment.com since 2001.

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