HAINES CITY, Fla. (NewsNation Now) — A 26-year-old man has been accused of stealing a bulldozer from a Florida construction site, driving it into a neighborhood and knocking down campaign signs for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, according to authorities and homeowners.
The man took the bulldozer in Haines City on Saturday and destroyed Biden signs in full view of people who live in the neighborhood, witnesses said. James Blight was charged with grand theft auto and trespassing, according to the Haines City Police Department.
Former Vice Mayor Adam Burgess lives in the neighborhood and told NewsNation affiliate WFLA Blight took two Biden signs from his yard, then bulldozed his fence.
Police said Blight claimed he was too drunk at the time to remember what happened. It was not immediately clear whether he has an attorney who could comment on his behalf.
Haines City Police Chief Jim Elensky released a statement on Blight’s arrest.
“It’s absurd that a grown man could think he had the right to destroy someone else’s property based on a difference in political opinion. The fact that he was driving this heavy equipment, that he did not know how to operate, down busy roads could have been disastrous. We’re thankful that no one was hurt in this matter.”
HAINES CITY POLICE CHIEF JIM ELENSKY
Blight is being charged with grand theft greater than $40,000 and trespassing on a construction site. Further charges are pending regarding the private property damage.
NewsNation affiliate WFLA and the Associated press contributed to this report.
