Detroit Lakes Excavator Damage Leads to Charges

DETROIT LAKES (trfnews.i234.me) — A Phoenix man faces charges after an excavator allegedly damaged several properties near West Lake Drive.

Alex Prescott-Hansen, 30, is charged in Becker County District Court. He faces first-degree property damage and misdemeanor driving while impaired.

The charges are allegations. Prescott-Hansen is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Excavator Allegedly Damaged Several Properties

The incident happened during the early morning of June 21, 2026.

According to the complaint, police responded to reports of damage near a hotel. Officers found an excavator that had allegedly been moved from outside Lakeside Tavern.

Investigators said the machine knocked down a new light pole. It also caused heavy damage to a concrete sidewalk.

The excavator then allegedly traveled east toward HUB 41. Court records say the building’s outside handrail system was damaged.

A sailboat sculpture outside the business was also destroyed, according to the complaint.

Alex Prescott-Hansen

The machine later reached the Fairfield Inn entrance, investigators said. Several boards and panels were torn from the hotel awning.

The complaint estimates HUB 41’s damage alone at about $40,000.

Breath Test Results Listed in Complaint

Police spoke with Prescott-Hansen after responding to the reported damage.

The complaint says he admitted trying to operate the excavator. He also allegedly admitted causing damage with the machine.

Officers reported signs of possible alcohol use. Those signs included watery eyes, bloodshot eyes, and slurred speech.

A preliminary breath test allegedly measured his alcohol level at 0.175.

Prescott-Hansen later completed an evidentiary breath test. That test allegedly produced a result of 0.18.

Felony Charge Carries Possible Prison Time

The property charge was filed under Minnesota Statute 609.595.

A conviction could carry five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.

The DWI count was filed under Minnesota Statute 169A.20.

That misdemeanor carries up to 90 days in jail. It may also include a fine of up to $1,000.

The case is filed as 03-CR-26-1232 in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.