Vandals Burn Truck, Damage Heavy Equipment

Humboldt Sentinel
News 10/20/08
By Sentinel Staff

Humboldt Bay Forest Products in Fields Landing hit hard

FIELDS LANDING -- Witnesses are being sought by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office in connection with an incident in Fields Landing last week which resulted in felony vandalism and arson.

On Oct. 7, the owner of Humboldt Bay Forest Products reported to the HCSO that during the previous night, one of his company’s trucks had been stolen and several other vehicles had been moved and damaged, including a Caterpillar 988 loader which had been driven over the company’s scale, resulting in approximately $20,000 worth of damage alone.

Another tractor-trailer had a damaged drive shaft and trailer, and a second tractor-trailer had been driven with its trailer brakes engaged which damaged all ten of its tires, according to HCSO spokesperson Brenda Godsey.

Just as the company owner was making his report to Sheriff’s deputies, the California Highway Patrol recovered the stolen truck, a Ford F150, which had been set on fire and destroyed near Loma Ave. in Eureka.

According to officials, the evidence technician for the HCSO processed the vehicles for evidence and the case is under active investigation. Anyone with information about the incident should call the HCSO at 707-445-7251.