‘Nearly a million dollars’: Excavator and rock truck burned and destroyed in Prince George, B.C., police say

Police say an excavator was stolen and later burned in a rural B.C. theft and arson. (Prince George RCMP)

Mounties say someone in Prince George, B.C., stole an excavator and destroyed a rock truck with it before setting the first machine on fire.

Police say they were called to a rural area near Chief Lake Road on Sunday morning, just after 10 a.m., where they found the burning excavator.

Local volunteer firefighters attacked the blaze and stopped it from spreading far beyond the machine, police say, while officers continued searching for evidence.

The Prince George RCMP say they found the excavator had been stolen from a mine site, where it was used, in part, to “destroy a rock truck at the site,” causing “nearly a million dollars worth of damages to a local company” between the two machines.

Photos provided by police show the rock truck’s cab and engine bay to be twisted, burned, and surrounded by ash.

Police say they searched the area and didn’t find anyone, but explain they believe people living nearby may be “responsible for this incident.”

The Prince George RCMP say the investigation remains ongoing and add they will not comment further at this time.

Anyone with any information about those involved has been asked to call the Prince George RCMP or to anonymously submit a tip through Northern B.C. Crime Stoppers.