Night-time Copeland arson destroys barn and hay

BOUNDARY COUNTY — Around 2 a.m. on July 16, the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office received reports of hay bales that were on fire near Copeland Road in the northern area of Boundary County.

A short time later a witness saw an addition fire start on nearby Krause Road and saw a vehicle leaving the scene. That fire eventually destroyed a barn and its contents, including several tons of baled hay and farm equipment.

A property owner followed the vehicle as it left the area. He was able to provide a description and a license plate number for the suspect vehicle. He reported that the vehicle began to travel at a high rate of speed but was able to continue to provide information to law enforcement regarding its location and direction of travel.

Law enforcement made contact with the driver of the vehicle at the parking lot of the 3 Mile Store.

The driver was identified as 19-year-old Boundary County resident Gary Brown. He was subsequently arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and for arson. His two 17-year-old passengers were both charged as minors being under the influence of alcohol. They were released to their parents.

The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be filed. The total loss for the property destroyed by the fires has not been determined at this time.