North Charleston, SC – June 8, 2025 – In an incident that stunned both police and business owners, a man led officers on an hour-long slow-speed pursuit while operating a stolen Komatsu track hoe excavator. The bizarre chase, which moved at just 3 mph down U.S. Highway 78, ended only after the construction machine became stuck on the Charleston County Fairgrounds and the suspect fled on foot.
According to police, the suspect, Johnny Kaneshi Mesa Jr., 53, used the excavator to crash into and destroy parts of a landscaping business and a barbershop adjacent to Los Pinos Tienda Mexicana in Ladson. The businesses are all owned by the same family. Authorities estimate the damage at $10,000, though the owners believe it could be much higher.
Who Is Liable for Property Damage Caused by a Stolen Vehicle?
For property owners, this event raises a serious question: Who pays when your business is damaged by a stolen vehicle or construction machine?
Here are the possible sources of compensation:
1. The Suspect
Mesa is facing multiple charges, including malicious injury to property and failure to stop for blue lights. While criminal prosecution can result in jail time and fines, civil restitution is unlikely to cover the actual repair costs especially if the defendant has limited financial means or a long criminal history, as Mesa reportedly does.
2. Commercial Insurance
If the excavator was owned by a construction company, their commercial insurance policy may include liability coverage for unauthorized use or theft. However, proving negligence (such as poor site security or keys left accessible) could be difficult unless the owner failed to follow proper safety procedures.
3. Your Business Insurance Policy
If you own a business and carry commercial property insurance, your policy may cover:
- Structural repairs
- Lost inventory
- Temporary closure costs
- Business interruption losses
But insurance companies don’t always make the process easy, and they may attempt to undervalue your claim or delay payment.
What Legal Options Do Business Owners Have?
If your business is damaged in a criminal incident, you may be able to pursue:
- A civil lawsuit against the suspect (limited if they lack assets)
- A premises liability claim if a third party failed to secure dangerous equipment
- An insurance claim for repair costs, lost income, and more
- Restitution through the criminal justice system (if ordered by a judge)
At Ted Law Firm, we help business owners understand their legal options after serious property damage. We investigate the facts, review all relevant policies, and fight for fair compensation.
What Happens Next for the Victims in Ladson?
In this case, the Tiburcio family’s landscaping supply store and barbershop were destroyed. Police say Mesa had a prior history with the business, including an earlier incident where he damaged property after being denied alcohol.
Mesa was arrested and charged with multiple crimes, and he remains in custody. But for the Tiburcio family, and for many business owners across South Carolina—the bigger concern is financial recovery.
Need Legal Help After a Business Property Damage Incident?
If your business was damaged by a vehicle, construction equipment, or vandalism, don’t wait to seek help. Insurance companies are quick to protect their interests, but slow to protect yours.Call Ted Law Firm today for a free consultation. We represent victims of property damage and personal injury in Charleston, North Charleston, Summerville, and throughout South Carolina. You don’t pay unless we win. No risk. No delay. Just real legal support when you need it most. You’re in good hands with Ted Law Firm.
Attorney Ted Sink, founder of The Ted Law Firm, is a Yale, Stanford Business School, and Charleston School of Law graduate and former marketing executive who built a 7-figure law practice, earning millions for his clients. With experience in both law and advertising, Ted has been recognized in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and the ABA Journal. He speaks at industry conferences on marketing and law firm management, sharing insights from his unique background to help other firms grow. When not working, Ted enjoys traveling, diving, and dog-sitting golden retrievers.
