Law enforcement are pictured stopping Allen Funkhouser on Highway 95 after he was accused of driving a stolen D8-T Caterpillar on July 18. (Courtesy photo)
On July 18, at 6 a.m., Idaho State Police Cpl. Shane Grady responded to a report of a stolen D8-T Caterpillar allegedly being driven by Boundary County resident Allen Funkhouser.
According to court documents, Trixie Edwards reported the stolen dozer, stating the vehicle was traveling southbound on Highway 95 around milepost 452.
Grady activated his emergency lights and stopped in front of the vehicle, blocking the southbound lane.
Funkhouser stopped and put his hands up, obeying all commands by Grady, who received backup from a Bonner County sheriff’s deputy.
Grady began questioning Funkhouser; after handcuffing him, Funkhouser stated he had cut several trees last night near the railroad tracks.
Court documents state Funkhouser explained to Grady the “Chinese National Aztec Army” rose from the dead and attempted to make him a king, saying they planned to kill him.
“Funkhouser told me he took the cat to find the code in the machine to send the Chinese Nationals back,” Grady said.
According to Grady, Funkhouser was visibly nervous and shaking as he explained his story and did no show any signs of impairment. In addition, no contraband was found in Funkhouser’s Ford truck parked near milepost 451.
Foreman Aaron Gilbert of M.A. DeAtely Constructions said Funkhouser was not an employee or authorized to use the $500,000 cat.
Damages are still being assessed in the construction area, Gilbert used the cat to grade for a new road section on Highway 95, and the construction company plans to charge Funkhouser.
On the way to booking, Funkhouser explained to Grady how he was concerned about the Chinese Nationals who built the railroad and pointed out that a construction crane in Sandpoint had moved and mentioned the pyramids in Egypt.
Funkhouser was booked at Bonner County Jail for a grand theft charge; he has prior felony offenses for burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle which elevate the current offense to a persistent violator.
A review hearing is scheduled for Aug. 24 in Bonner County, with Judicial Officer Tera Harden presiding over the case.
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