Authorities are on the hunt for three stolen Humvees that went missing from an Army Reserve Center in Southern California earlier this week.
Local law enforcement, alongside the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division, is deeply involved in the investigation.
Theft Details
The theft took place on Wednesday, January 8, when intruders gained illegal access to the storage facility in Tustin, California, according to the Tustin Police Department.
The burglars pried open several lockers and made off with various items, prominently including three Humvees—one armored and two with standard cloth doors.
This break-in reportedly occurred between 8:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.
According to the police, an attempt was made to break into a uniform storage area by cutting a lock, but the effort was unsuccessful.
Instead, the thieves accessed the site by slicing through a fence, which led them into the parking lot where the military vehicles were kept.
The exact moment they left the scene is still a mystery.
Stolen Items
In addition to the Humvees, the thieves took a considerable amount of military equipment.
Their haul included 40 binoculars, eight machine gun mounts, seven tripods for machine guns, and a variety of medical supplies.
Fortunately, no firearms were stolen, but the intruders did seize 18 bayonets and assorted military gear.
Located strategically between two major highways in Orange County, the Army Reserve Center in Tustin is crucial for operations.
Currently, it remains uncertain whether the stolen vehicles have left the county or are still nearby.
Previous Incidents
This incident marks the fourth time in five years that Humvees have been stolen from military facilities in California.
In 2021, a Humvee vanished from the California National Guard in Bell, but authorities apprehended the suspect within three days.
There was also a close call in 2020, when a thwarted theft occurred at an Army Reserve Center in Upland; the suspect was swiftly caught.
More recently, just before the 4th of July in 2023, another Humvee was stolen from the Santa Rosa National Guard Armory, only to be spotted multiple times in the Bay Area and Sonoma County over several months before finally being recovered.
Anyone with information or sightings of the missing Humvees should reach out to the Tustin Police Department at 714-573-3225.
Source: Taskandpurpose.com