A man was arrested after an early morning ride on a piece of heavy machinery stolen from a construction site in North Park Sunday morning, authorities confirmed.
The backhoe was stolen from a construction site near University Avenue and Utah Street around 5 a.m. Monday, outside where The Mission restaurant general manager Guy Guadagni was drinking a cup of coffee.
“It was wild. I had to call the police. I had to get somebody out of here. I didn’t want anybody to get hurt,” Guadagni said.
Video shared with NBC San Diego showed the machine rolling down the street, dragging its bucket across the asphalt and sending sparks flying, Guadagni said. It knocked down traffic signal poles and planters. 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.
A spokesman for the San Diego Police Department said the man, who was identified as 28-year-old Liam Quigley, was arrested on one count of vehicle theft and two counts of vandalism. He is due in court on Wednesday.
“He wasn’t wearing a shirt. He could be homeless, I’m not sure. Just happy. Having a good time knocking things over,” Guadagni said. “I have, but I’ve never seen anything like it. It was strange.”
City crews worked Monday to repair five street signs and a lamppost that were knocked over.
NBC 7
NBC 7 The video shared with NBC San Diego showed a bulldozer driving through North Park. San Diego police say it was stolen.
