A Pomona man who allegedly went to an Army Reserve Center in Upland, drove away with a military Humvee worth more than $200,000, and briefly led police on a chase through a Pomona neighborhood was charged Friday in federal court with theft of United States government property.
Armando Garcia, 29, who is currently on parole after being convicted last year in state court on theft and burglary charges, was named in a criminal complaint filed in Los Angeles federal court. He was taken into state custody after the police chase on Monday, and expected to be turned over to federal authorities Friday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The complaint alleges that Garcia stole a militarized High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle — commonly known as a Humvee — midday on Monday. Soon after Garcia drove off with the semi-armored combat vehicle with a turret mount, Pomona Police officers attempted to make a traffic stop of the unlicensed vehicle, according to the complaint.
“During the pursuit, which lasted approximately four minutes, the Humvee traveled at excessive speeds, drove on the wrong side of the street (in the direction of oncoming traffic), failed to stop at multiple red lights and stops signs, and failed to signal for turns,” according to an affidavit filed with the complaint.
Garcia stopped the Humvee in front of a residence on East Kingsley Avenue in Pomona, where he was taken into custody without further incident.
Inside the Humvee, police found a large pair of bolt cutters and an Army-approved padlock that appeared to have been cut, according to the complaint, which notes the padlock had secured a steel wire that was put in place to prevent the steering wheel from being turned.
If convicted of the charge in the complaint, Garcia would face up to 10 years in federal prison, prosecutors noted.
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