National Guard Humvee is stolen in Bell
The FBI is asking for the public’s help in finding a Humvee stolen on Friday morning from the California Army National Guard. The vehicle is attached to the A Company 40th Brigade Support Battalion, according to information released by authorities. It was stolen from a National Guard Armory in Bell.
Besides being painted in green camouflage (see right), the vehicle had all sorts of official identification, including bumper No. 40BSBHQ6, registration No. NZ311R and a sticker under the right front headlight that reads 40TH BSB.
“We went to the press as quick as we could hoping someone would recognise it,” said Laura Eimiller, a spokesperson for the FBI’s office in Los Angeles.
As someone put it on Twitter: “Identifiers also include being a literal military vehicle driven by a guy who looks like he would steal a literal military vehicle.”
Combat vehicle
The Humvee’s notable characteristics extend beyond the colour. The vehicle is “up-armoured,” as the military puts things, making it more resistant to attack. It’s considered a “combat vehicle,” Eimiller said.
The vehicle is worth $120,000 and there’s a potential $10,000 reward for its return. Stealing it carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Less than two weeks after far-right extremists attacked the US Capitol, with rumours circulating of other possible attacks, the theft of such a vehicle is getting attention on social media. “Prob being driven to the closest capital to be used to blend in. Kind of a bad time to let this happen,” a poster wrote. Others commented in a similar vein.
Eimiller said there’s no evidence indicating such a threat in connection to this theft “at this time, but we’re not ruling any of this out.”
It’s also not unheard of for opportunists to steal a military vehicle or otherwise exercise bad judgement.
In November, a Pomona man allegedly went to an Army Reserve Centre in Upland, drove away with a military Humvee worth more than $200,000, and briefly led police on a chase through residential streets.
Law enforcement authorities are on high alert across the country. As troops with long guns patrolled a newly erected security fence surrounding much of Capitol Hill on Saturday, some neighbours were pleased by the tougher security presence while others were concerned by the level of force as police and National Guard troops fanned out ahead of possible violent farright and nationalist rallies.
Meanwhile, commercial airlines have tracked a recent increase in passengers checking firearms as they travel to the Washington area, according to a bulletin from the Justice Department.
Less than two weeks after farright extremists attacked the US Capitol, with rumours circulating of other possible attacks, the theft of such a vehicle is getting attention on social media.