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 served as the editorial lead of Construction Equipment from 2001 through 2025.
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