No word yet on whether anyone claimed the reward, but the good news is that the Humvee was recovered. It was found in the Los Angeles River, but the FBI didn’t say whether it had sustained any damage during the five days it went missing.
Having been stolen from the National Guard Armory in Bell, California, it didn’t even travel that far. In fact, it was recovered miles away from the base.
The FBI notes that the search for the vehicle was a joint effort, in collaboration with the California Army Guard, the LAPD, and the California Highway Patrol. The tweet announcing the recovery of the vehicle doesn’t mention how someone could have walked into a military base and then drive off in one of their vehicle at 8 o’clock in the morning.
It does, however, say this: “We continue to seek information about the party responsible for the theft. Our investigation continues to identify person/group responsible.”
Whoever did this is in serious trouble, if it still needed saying. As per CNN, theft from a military facility is not your garden variety auto theft, carrying a penalty of 10 years behind bars in federal prison.
A green camouflage #Humvee was stolen from @CaArmyGuard in #Bell CA on Friday. Identifiers include Bumper# 40BSBHQ6; Admin# WV57TO-HQ06/M1165A1; Reg# NZ311R & Battalion 40TH BSB. Please call 3104776565 to claim a #reward up to 10K for info leading to the recovery #BOLO
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) January 17, 2021
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Thank you partners @CaArmyGuard @LAPDHQ & @CHP_HQ for assisting the FBI’s Major Theft Task Force with the recovery of the #Humvee today in SE Los Angeles County where it was processed by our Evidence Response Team. Our investigation continues to identify person/group responsible. pic.twitter.com/8QevLQYrAx
— FBI Los Angeles (@FBILosAngeles) January 20, 2021