Florida man arrested for crashing stolen excavator into Walmart, causing $2M in damages on September 10
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA: A Florida man named Jesse Charles Smith was taken into custody on Monday, September 10, following a bizarre crime spree that involved a stolen excavator used in causing $2 million in damages to several local buildings.
According to the Gainesville Police Department, the 47-year-old man "hotwired" the heavy equipment that belonged to Watson Construction, located at 2605 SW 47th St, reported Fox News.
Jesse Smith's rampage with the excavator
Smith's destructive path began as he bulldozed his way through a chainlink fence at Storage Depot of Gainesville with the excavator, valued at $350,000 and weighing a staggering 72,000 pounds.
The outlet reported that Smith's rampage extended after he drove into buildings at 2707 SW 40th Blvd. Four buildings at the storage facility sustained significant damage.
Continuing his destructive course, the man forced his way through the property's southeast corner and breached another fence at Swamp City Fitness, 4315 SW 29th Ave.
Other than major damage to the buildings, the massive excavator also caused extensive underground damage. He knocked over a utility pole, causing live wires to fall to the ground.
Furthermore, he recklessly drove over a CT meter. It remains unclear where the heavy equipment was initially stolen for the rampage and his motive behind the destruction of numerous buildings resulting in extensive damage.
How did the police arrest Jesse Charles Smith?
The Trenton man's destructive joyride came to an end at 2900 SW 42nd St after he hit a light pole in the parking lot of Walmart.
Smith also crashed into a loading dock, which left more damage in his wake.
According to police, the suspect carried a machete when he entered the Walmart and discarded the weapon before he was confronted by the law enforcement authorities.
As per the report, Smith refused to comply with officers' instructions and to put his hands behind his back as he "physically resisted" them.
What are the charges against Jesse Charles Smith?
Following the $2 million excavator rampage in Gainesville, Smith was booked into the Alachua County Jail.
He faces several charges in the case including four counts of criminal mischief, resisting arrest without violence, armed trespassing, grand theft, and causing property damage in excess of $1,000, as per online Alachua County jail records.
According to the official Facebook post by the Gainesville Police Department, no injuries have been reported due to the destructive incident.