Man steals hydraulic lifting machine, goes on ‘joy ride’ to beach, Flagler deputies say

2023-04-12 00:11:04 By : Mr. Alex Xin

The second day of the Aiden Fucci's sentencing hearing Wednesday began with victim impact statements, including from Tristyn Bailey’s best friend and six members of her family: three of her four siblings, her parents and one of her grandmothers.

Kendra Mazeke , Digital Content Producer Stoplog Gate

Man steals hydraulic lifting machine, goes on ‘joy ride’ to beach, Flagler deputies say

Kendra Mazeke , Digital Content Producer

FLAGER COUNTY, Fla. – A 56-year-old was arrested and charged Saturday with grand theft after stealing oversized construction equipment in Flagler County, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said they found Randy Wealand riding a $60,000 JLG Lull alongside A1A at Ocean Shore Boulevard around 8 a.m.

According to the release, Wealand went to the construction site, stole the lull and took it on a 2.5-mile trip on the sidewalk to Beverly Beach.

Along his commute, Wealand caused $10,000 in damages by breaking several public sidewalks, running over two fire hydrants, a charter communications fiber node and multiple mailboxes, deputies said.

Wealand, who according to authorities has an extensive criminal history in other cities, was arrested and charged with grand theft, theft from a construction site, felony criminal mischief and trespassing on a construction site. He was ordered held on a $12,500 bond.

Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said authorities were alerted because citizens called in about Wealand’s activities.

“This career criminal decided to go on a joy ride with a large piece of construction equipment,” Staly said in a prepared statement. “Wealand would have caused more damage if he was not stopped and apprehended by deputies. Another win for ‘see something, say something,’”

The Sheriff’s Office’s shared body camera footage from the scene.

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Man steals hydraulic lifting machine, goes on ‘joy ride’ to beach, Flagler deputies say

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