WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP, Ind. (AP) – A Morgan County firefighter has been placed on administrative leave following accusations he stole a welder worth about $1,000 from his department.

Forty-two-year-old Brian Etchison of the Washington Township Fire Department was charged Thursday with theft. State police say they found a welder in Etchison's home last month matching the description of the one missing from the department. 

Investigators say they were able locate a serial number that had been removed from the welder and was consistent with the department's records.

It wasn't immediately known if Etchison has an attorney yet.