Police say the house had just sold but was still empty when it was destroyed before dawn.
POST FALLS, Idaho — A 29-year-old man was arrested early Tuesday after an excavator chewed through a newly constructed house near West Alsea Avenue and West Platte Court, according to police who said multiple 911 callers reported the demolition around 5:38 a.m.
Post Falls police identified the driver as Fred Kudrna and booked him on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and two felony counts: burglary and malicious injury to property. Detectives say the home had recently closed but was not yet occupied. The incident jolted a quiet residential area on the city’s west side and raised questions about how the machine was accessed and why the house was targeted. Investigators described the case as active and said additional charges are possible as they coordinate with the builder and witnesses.
Officers responded within minutes after dispatchers received several calls about a person using an excavator to batter the home just after sunrise on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Police said they located a vehicle leaving the area and conducted a traffic stop a short distance away. The driver was taken into custody without further damage or injury reported. “This is an active investigation,” the department said in a written statement, noting there was no one living in the residence at the time. The scene later drew onlookers as daylight showed collapsed exterior walls and a torn roofline, according to images provided by police.
Authorities said Kudrna works in construction and “lives a transient lifestyle,” but they have not identified a motive. The department’s initial summary said the home was finished and had recently sold, with buyers yet to move in. Police placed the location near West Alsea Avenue and West Platte Court, a subdivision of new houses where construction gear is common. Officers reported the 5:38 a.m. call time and said multiple neighbors saw the destruction in progress. No injuries were reported. The department attributed the arrest to a stop of a vehicle spotted leaving the neighborhood moments after the calls, followed by a field investigation and booking on DUI, burglary and malicious injury counts.
Records and recent coverage indicate the neighborhood has seen steady building activity this year, with heavy equipment moving in and out of new lots as homes near completion. Police did not say who owns the excavator or how it was obtained before the damage occurred. The house was described as newly built and “recently sold,” adding to the financial stakes for the builder and the buyer awaiting occupancy. Images released by authorities show extensive structural damage, including splintered framing and sections of roof and siding collapsed inward, suggesting a full teardown may be required. Officials have not provided an estimate of the cost, and insurance arrangements were not immediately disclosed.
Kudrna was booked on suspicion of misdemeanor DUI and felony counts of burglary and malicious injury to property. Both felonies can be charged when someone unlawfully enters property or causes significant damage; prosecutors will make charging decisions after reviewing reports. Police said detectives are working with the builder and witnesses to document the damage and timeline. As of Wednesday, authorities had not announced a court date or said whether bail had been set. Investigators said more charges could be added as they gather statements and examine any surveillance video from nearby homes or construction sites.
By midmorning Tuesday, police tape marked the corner as passersby slowed to watch crews secure the lot. Several residents described waking to engine noise and impacts echoing through the block. One neighbor said the machine “kept going at the walls,” and another recalled seeing debris scattered into the street before officers arrived. A police spokesperson said the department received “multiple 911 calls” in quick succession, which helped officers locate a vehicle leaving the area. “There is no known motive currently,” the spokesperson said, adding that detectives plan to meet with the builder and the home’s buyers in the coming days to discuss next steps.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the investigation remained open, and police said they expect to release updates after detectives finish interviews with witnesses and construction crews. The next milestone is a probable cause review and initial court appearance for Kudrna, which had not been scheduled publicly by press time. Officials said they will also assess whether any additional property in the area was damaged and whether other equipment was involved.
Author note: Last updated November 12, 2025.