Authorities in Hancock County said an arsonist targeted their Incident Command Truck overnight.


The truck is used for everything from collecting evidence at crime scenes to helping with traffic control. So having it out of commission for an unknown amount of time is going to be an inconvenience for the sheriff's department, Sheriff Mike White said.

"As well as helping a lot of people, we make a lot of enemies on a daily basis. And I … just think it's a lashing out at the sheriff's office. I don't think it's any one particular officer, at least it doesn't appear to be at this time," White said.


Detectives are taking photos and collecting evidence, like soil samples and match heads, at the county garage in New Cumberland where the truck was parked. The damage was contained to the front driver's side tire, which ruptured from the heat.


"We believe they set a container on here with a rag in it -- the rag is down behind the tire -- and set it on fire. Fortunately, the hood probably helped keep the fire minimal. It burned some wiring harnesses, damaged the brakes and broken the seal on the lock out hubs," White said.


White said the damage could've been much worse, but he is still estimating that repairs should cost at least a couple thousand dollars.


"Fluids will have to be replaced, and I'm sure the brakes are damaged. I wouldn't want to try and operate the brakes after they've been heated that much," he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police or the NEWS9 Lauttamus Security Crime Busters Tipline at (800) 862-BUST.