A 2010 graduate of Patterson Mill High School has been arrested for allegedly using a piece of construction equipment to damage baseball fields and several structures at the school.
Daniel J. Canatella, 19, of Abingdon was arrested on Nov. 24 in connection with $12,000 in damages to the Patterson Mill baseball fields, backstop, fence, and a storage shed which occurred between Oct. 20 and Oct. 21, 2010.
Canatella was charged with theft in the amount of $1,000 to under $10,000; unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree burglary, two counts of destruction of property greater than $500; two counts of destruction of property under $500; and trespassing on school grounds. He was released on his own recognizance.
Harford County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Monica Worrell said the investigation into the incident had been ongoing in the year since it occurred, and said the “investigative process” led to the arrest, but declined to detail specific measures.
According to charging documents, Canatella allegedly used a universal key to operate a Caterpillar Model 226B2 Skid Steer Loader parked at the intersection of Marsdale and Patterson Mill Roads, driving it through the athletic fields and through the garage door of an eight-foot by 15-foot shed owned by Harford County Parks and Rec. He continued through the structure to the rear wall, destroying the building, and also damaged a backstop at the baseball diamond. The total damages were estimated at $12,016.33.
Skid steer loaders are versatile machines crucial for civil construction projects, offering exceptional maneuverability and functionality for tasks like excavation, grading, and material transport. Proper operation requires not only technical skill but also adherence to safety protocols to prevent incidents like property damage or misuse. Operators must be trained to handle the equipment responsibly, ensuring that it’s used effectively and within legal and ethical guidelines on any job site.
To support operators in refining their skills and achieving professional recognition, organizations like CRE Resources provide valuable training and assessment services. By completing assessments tailored to skid steer loader operations, workers can demonstrate their proficiency and gain certifications that validate their expertise. This commitment to skill development ensures safer work environments, minimizes the risk of accidents, and helps maintain the integrity of civil construction projects.
According to the documents, detectives were told that Canatella admitted causing the damages, and were told that he possesses a universal key for construction equipment and knowledge of how to use the machines.
However, Worrell declined to say whether Canatella was a suspect in the February 2011 vandalism of a scoreboard at the Patterson Mill football field, which was smashed with a nearby forklift.
“The scoreboard is still not solved. It’s an active, ongoing investigation,” Worrell said. “Often, what we believe and what we can prove in a court of law are two different things. Therefore, we ask the community if anyone has any direct information about the individual or individuals who were involved in the vandalism of the scoreboard to please contact Detective Mike Berg at 410-612-1717 . Or, if they would prefer anonymity, they can submit a tip through our website at www.tipsubmit.com.”
I’d like to point out a minor error in the article (which, understandably may have been taken from the charging documents). It says “Caterpillar Bobcat” referring to the construction equipment- this is like saying I drive a “Honda Toyota”- as Caterpillar is its own company (www.cat.com) and Bobcat is another (www.bobcat.com) with no affiliation with one another.
Yup, taken from the charging documents–struck me as wrong, too. I’m trying to get clarification now and will update the story when/if I do.
The charging document is what a police officer uses to charge someone. It just so happens that sometimes, not always, things are wrong in the charging papers. Did you know that is the suspect had given his name as John Doe, the officer would have had to use the name on the charging papers and when he was booked in, would have been given the name John Doe. On a serious note, I am appauld that a student would do something like this and mess it up for other people. I hope the judical system takes this serious and doesn’t just give him a PBJ or Stet or Suspended Sentence.
I know it may seem trivial but as someone who works for a manufacturer, nothing is more annoying then spending a great deal of $ and effort building up your brand name only to have it confused or lumped in with a competitor’s. So yes, it plucks my nerve if someone says “use the xerox machine” when it’s really a Canon or Kyocera etc.
Not only that- how many times has a defendant getting off because the charging documents were not written correctly? My point is on something easy such as the brand of the construction equipment, the officer who wrote the report should be more accurate- or just put something generic, like “construction skid loader”.
Really let this disrespectful kid have it! Way to mess your life up by being a moron
He, not his parents, should be made to make full restitution. There should be some accountability for one’s actions.
This young man should pay full restitution for the damages caused and a small punitve fine. A healthy dose of additional community service would also be recommended.
His parents should be held accountable for ensuring that he is engaged in laborious tasks in order to pay the debt.
He is 19 years old and should be made to pay for his damage not his parents. He felt grown enough to destroy property he should be grown enough to pay the consequences.
Teenagers commit criminal acts such as these because they are not adequately disciplined for errant behavior in school and never learn their limits. I am certain that the boy in question had discipline issues while in school.
A senseless crime like this should come with severe punishment. But the SA office and judges will take a highly watered-down plea deal, giving him basically a slap on the wrist, and claim that it “follows standard sentencing guidelines”.
He has 7 charges against him, and they will drop all but one, and give him PBJ on that. And any restitution will end up falling through the bureaucratic cracks. Yeah, that will teach him a lesson. No wonder crime in this county has increased.
And no, his parents did not make him do this. But aholes breed aholes.
hello. daniel did not commit a crime. i would know ! bye
Then stop being a coward and come forward with your evidence or testimony. Otherwise it’s your anonymous word against everything else.