Fire chief’s truck stolen, burned

Not long after Sacramento River Fire Chief Jeff Winters reported his 2004 Chevy Silverado stolen Tuesday morning, he found it.

The vehicle was discovered on the levee near Colusa by Sacramento River firefighters, shortly before 6 a.m.

“We had just begun to investigate the stolen vehicle when we were notified that the fire department found it,” said Bob Kays, California Highway Patrol Public Affairs Officer. “It was fully engulfed.”

According to Kays, a camper at the Sacramento River Recreation Area had called to report the suspicious fire on the levee, just north of the campground.

Kays said the keys had been left in the vehicle, which was stolen sometime in the night from Winters’ Lafayette St. residence.

Colusa Police Department officials said Tuesday it was the second time the bright red fire chief’s truck was stolen.

Lt. Ross Stark said Winters reported the vehicle stolen once before in 2005, after leaving the keys in the ignition.

It was recovered a short time later, just outside Colusa. The vehicle had been in a collision and had received moderate damage.

Brian Copeland, then 25, was arrested and charged with the theft, Stark said.

According to Kays, the CHP is following several leads in the case and expect an arrest.

“We have an idea who did it, but it’s still under investigation,” Kays said.

Winters could not be reached for comment.

The CHP is asking anyone with information or was a witness to the fire, call Officer Kayes at 473-2821.

Contact Susan Meeker at 458-2121 or smeeker@tcnpress.com.