Florida Man Allegedly Tries to Steal ATM in Stolen Excavator Beside Police Station

According to authorities, a man from Florida was recently arrested for attempting to steal an ATM using a stolen excavator near a police station. Despite the proximity of law enforcement, the man showed no concern while trying to remove the ATM. He later confessed to the officers that he would rather rob a bank than work for his brother.

DeFuniak Springs Police shared on Facebook that an officer observed the man and the excavator in the act of trying to take the ATM right next to the police department. Upon the officer’s approach, the man fled the scene. Police reviewed video footage and identified a suspect, a 43-year-old man who admitted to stealing the excavator and attempting the theft of the ATM. He justified his actions by stating that he preferred this to working for his brother.

The man faced charges of grand theft of construction equipment, criminal mischief exceeding $1,000, and burglary of a structure with property damage. His bail was established at $7,500. Instances of individuals engaging in illegal activities involving stolen construction equipment are sporadically reported in Florida and other regions across the country.

In another incident, a Florida man caused extensive damage with a stolen excavator in Gainesville, leading to a collision with a Walmart and resulting in $2 million in damages on September 11, 2023. The excavator, valued at $350,000, was taken from a construction company after being tampered with. A 47-year-old suspect faced charges of grand theft, property damage, and resisting arrest.

Moreover, an investigation into a stolen dump truck on March 18, 2025, unveiled eight trucks reported stolen from various states and rebranded under a different company, as disclosed by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. A 40-year-old Florida man was apprehended for altering a truck’s vehicle identification number at a chop shop, as described by the Sheriff’s Office.

For contractors seeking to safeguard their equipment, whether in Florida or elsewhere, valuable tips from a Palm Beach County sheriff’s detective are available by clicking here.