Man steals construction equipment, takes joyride on Florida beach

Flagler County, FL - A man's been arrested after stealing a construction vehicle and taking it on a joyride on a Florida beach.

Deputies responded to N. Ocean Shore Boulevard around 8 a.m. after receiving a report of someone driving a large construction vehicle on a sidewalk.

When officers arrived, they found 56-year-old Randy Wealand operating a JLG Lull alongside A1A.

Investigators say Wealand stole the $60,000 piece of equipment from the construction side and drove it 2.5 miles along A1A to Beverly Beach.

During the drive, Wealand caused an estimated $10,000 in damages by running over two fire hydrants, a Charter Communications fiber node, several mailboxes, and broke several sections of sidewalk.

In a statement, Sheriff Rick Staly says "Wealand would have caused more damage if he was not stopped and apprehended by deputies. Another win for ‘see something, say something,' so a special thank you to the citizens who called us and helped prevent this dirtbag from continuing his dangerous path of destruction."

Wealand was arrested on charges of grand theft, theft from a construction site, felony criminal mischief, and trespass on a construction site.

He's being held on a $12,500 bond.


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