Chief of volunteer fire department in Covington County arrested, fired

Action 8 News has confirmed that the fire chief at a volunteer fire department in Covington County has been arrested and fired from his position.

The Covington County Sheriff’s Office says Jared Watson has been charged with theft of property in the first degree. He was the chief of the Libertyville Volunteer Fire Department.

The sheriff’s office says last month, the fire department’s board of directors noticed several discrepancies on their bank statement, which prompted an examination of the department’s financial records. The board turned over its findings to the sheriff’s office.

The sheriff’s office says it was determined that Watson misappropriated or stole money on several occasions.

The fire department says it has now appointed a new chief, Brandon Holland.