• Three Humvees (one armored, two with cloth doors) and significant military equipment, including binoculars, machine gun mounts, tripods, medical supplies, and bayonets, were stolen from the Tustin Army Reserve Center in Southern California on January 8. No firearms or ammunition were taken.
• A joint investigation by the Tustin Police Department and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division is underway. One Humvee was recovered on January 10, but the other two vehicles and stolen gear remain missing.
• This incident is part of a series of Humvee thefts in California over the past five years, including cases in Bell, Upland, and Santa Rosa, raising concerns about vulnerabilities in military facility security.
• Theft from military facilities is a federal crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Authorities are investigating potential links to previous thefts and whether this represents a new trend.
• Law enforcement urges the public to report sightings of the stolen Humvees (marked HQ-61, HQ-81, and HHC-06) or suspicious activity to the Tustin Police Department at 714-573-3225 or Detective Schaller at 714-573-3245. The incident highlights the need for enhanced security and public collaboration to safeguard military assets.

In a brazen act of theft, three Humvees were stolen from the Tustin Army Reserve Center in Southern California this week, marking the latest in a string of similar incidents targeting military vehicles in the state. The theft, which occurred on January 8, has prompted a joint investigation by the Tustin Police Department and the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division.

According to authorities, unidentified suspects broke into the Army Reserve Center’s storage warehouse in Tustin between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. The thieves cut through a fence to access a military vehicle parking lot, where they made off with three Humvees — one armored and two with cloth doors. In addition to the vehicles, the suspects stole a significant amount of military equipment, including 40 pairs of binoculars, eight machine gun vehicle mounts, seven machine gun tripods, unspecified medical equipment, and 18 bayonets. Notably, no firearms or ammunition were taken during the heist.

The Tustin Police Department reported that the suspects also attempted to cut a lock to access uniform storage but were unsuccessful. The stolen Humvees bear administrative numbers painted on their hoods: HQ-61, HQ-81, and HHC-06.

The Army Reserve Center in Tustin is strategically located between two major freeways in Orange County, raising questions about whether the thieves fled the area or remain local. As of now, the whereabouts of the stolen vehicles and equipment remain unknown.

This incident is not an isolated one. Over the past five years, California has seen a troubling pattern of Humvee thefts from military facilities. In 2021, an armored Humvee was stolen from the California National Guard facility in Bell, only to be discovered days later in the Los Angeles River. In 2020, an attempted Humvee theft at an Army Reserve Center in Upland was thwarted when the suspect was quickly apprehended. Most recently, in July 2023, a Humvee was stolen from the Santa Rosa National Guard Armory and remained missing for months before being recovered.

The repeated thefts highlight vulnerabilities in the security of military facilities and raise concerns about the potential misuse of stolen military equipment. Humvees, particularly armored ones, are highly valuable and could pose significant risks if used for criminal purposes.

Stealing from the military is a serious crime

In a positive development, one of the stolen Humvees was recovered in Orange on Friday, January 10. However, the search for the remaining two vehicles and the stolen gear continues. The Tustin Police Department is urging anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Schaller at (714) 573-3245.

The FBI has emphasized the seriousness of such crimes, noting that theft from a military facility carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. As investigations unfold, authorities are working to determine whether this latest theft is connected to previous incidents or if it represents a new trend in military vehicle thefts.

For now, the community remains on alert, and law enforcement agencies are doubling down on efforts to recover the stolen property and bring the perpetrators to justice. The theft serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in safeguarding military assets and the need for enhanced security measures to prevent future incidents.

As the story develops, residents are encouraged to report any sightings of the missing Humvees or suspicious activity to local authorities. The Tustin Police Department can be reached at 714-573-3225 for tips related to the case.

This incident underscores the importance of vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement and the public in addressing crimes that threaten national security and public safety.

Sources include:

TaskandPurpose.com

ABC.com

CBSNews.com