SAN DIEGO – A man is accused of stealing a piece of heavy machinery from a California construction site and causing damage while driving it through a San Diego neighborhood, authorities said.
According to San Diego County Sheriff’s Office online booking records, 28-year-old Liam Algardis Quigley was arrested on July 26. He was charged with vehicle theft and two counts of vandalism, online records show.
The backhoe was stolen from a construction site near University Avenue and Utah Street around 5 a.m. Pacific
That’s where Guy Guadagni, general manager of The Mission restaurant, was having a cup of coffee an hour before the business opened.
“I hear loud bangs, bangs and glass,” Guadagni told KGTV. “I see him dragging the bucket east on University (Avenue), throwing things on the ground as he goes.”
Video shared with KNSD showed the bucket causing sparks and knocking down traffic signal poles and planter boxes.
A photo of the scene showed police tape surrounding the bulldozer as it sat in front of a damaged North Park Observatory sign, causing $25,000 in damage, the television station reported.
“He wasn’t wearing a shirt. He could be homeless, I’m not sure. Just happy. Having a good time knocking things over,” Guadagni told KNSD. “I have, but I’ve never seen anything like it.
“That was weird.”
© 2026 Cox Media Group
