Man Charged with Causing Thousands in Property Damage While Drunkenly Operating an Excavator in DL

Alex Prescott-Hansen. (Becker County Jail)

Detroit Lakes, MN – An Arizona man is in custody for driving an excavator around Detroit Lakes while drunk and causing thousands of dollars in property damage around the Fairview Hotel on West Lake Drive.

30-year-old Alex Prescott-Hansen was arrested Sunday night after he told Detroit Lakes police that he had attempted to drive an excavator after leaving a party at Zorbaz. An officer administered a breath test and Prescott-Hansen blew a .18 BAC.

Investigators say it appeared the excavator was originally located out front of Lakeside restaurant. It was maneuvered and then knocked down a new light pole and the concrete sidewalk had significant damage.

The excavator then headed east toward HUB 41. HUB 41 had damage to the outside handrail system, and their sailboat sculpture was destroyed.

Then the excavator appeared to drive to the Fairfield entrance where it caused damage to the hotel awning. The Fairfield Hotel had numerous boards or panels on the awning that were torn off or broken.

Officials estimate that the damage at HUB 41 alone would cost $40,000 to repair. Prescott-Hansen made his first court appearance Tuesday morning and has been charged with felony criminal damage to property and a misdemeanor DWI.