NATCHITOCHES PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – On Wednesday evening, officials say a brazen burglar took a fire truck from a Powhatan fire station. Two hours after reaching out to the public for help on Thursday the truck was found.

“Hundreds of you shared our story including media outlets. Within 2 hours, at approximately 1:00 pm, one of our social media followers contacted NPSO Chief Deputy Greg Dunn providing him with a tip as to the location of the stolen vehicle off La. Hwy 3191 near Natchitoches, La.,” said the NPSO Criminal Investigations Bureau.

Authorities found the red 2019 Ford F-550 brush fire truck approximately 200 yards from La. Hwy 3191, stuck in the mud behind an old abandoned home.

A deputy with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the Natchitoches Parish Fire Protection District #10 Fire Department around 7:35 p.m. Wednesday after officials received a call reporting the burglary. When deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that a suspect had forced entry through a door into the department.