The Sheriff’s Department is investigating a case of arson of a hay truck that was stolen Sunday in Tehachapi and found Tuesday in Twentynine Palms. According to Sheriff’s reports, the hay truck was discovered abandoned by a passer-by near Samarkand and Sunset about 3 p.m. Tuesday. The passer-by called the phone number on the side of the truck to notify the owner where the truck had been found. The owner subsequently called the Sheriff’s Department, who sent a deputy to the scene to investigate. The truck at that time was undamaged. The truck was towed to a tow yard at Mesquite Avenue and 29 Palms Highway until the owner could retrieve it. About 4 a.m. Wednesday, Twentynine Palms firefighters were called to a vehicle fire, subsequently deemed an arson, at the tow yard. When the hay truck’s owner arrived Wednesday afternoon, he discovered his truck had been burned to a crisp.
