Excavator joyride leads to $2 million in damages

Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jesse Charles Smith, 47, was arrested last night and charged with grand theft, four counts of property damage over $1,000, resisting arrest, and armed trespassing after allegedly hotwiring an excavator, driving it through multiple properties in an industrial park, then entering Walmart holding a machete.

Gainesville Police Department officers responded to a call about an armed disturbance at the Walmart at Butler Plaza at about 8:07 p.m. last night and found the excavator behind the store and extensive damage to the building. Their investigation found that Smith hotwired a Komatsu excavator worth about $350,000 that belonged to Watson Construction, drove into at least four buildings belonging to Watson Construction, extended the boom of the excavator onto a roof to inflict additional damage, and then drove through a chain-link fence.

Smith then allegedly drove the excavator through a fence on the property of Storage Depot of Gainesville, causing additional underground damage; he also hit a utility pole, which fell to the ground with live wires.

Next, Smith allegedly drove through the parking lot at Swamp City Fitness, causing additional damage.

Finally, Smith allegedly turned toward the Walmart parking lot, knocked over a light pole, damaged a loading dock, and drove the excavator into the south side of the Walmart building, causing extensive exterior damage.

Smith allegedly got out of the excavator at that point and entered Walmart, armed with a machete. He dropped the machete, which was later recovered by officers, before officers made contact with him. Smith also allegedly resisted being placed into handcuffs.

After speaking with representatives of the damaged businesses, officers estimated that the damage is about $2 million.

Smith has a criminal history in other counties between 1998 and 2018; locally, he has 10 felony convictions (none violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (three violent). He has served one state prison sentence for burglary and trafficking in stolen property and was released in January 2023. Judge Peter Sieg set bail at $160,000 with a requirement for a mental health evaluation before release.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.