Humvee stolen from Santa Rosa National Guard armory after break-in, CHP says

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KGO) -- The California Highway Patrol is on the lookout for a Humvee stolen from the National Guard armory in Santa Rosa.

The CHP says someone stole the green Humvee after 10 p.m. Monday, making their getaway by ramming through the gates.

"We started getting reports of a reckless driver, a speeding driver and, of course, of a Humvee," says CHP Officer Marcus Hawkins. "There is potential collision damage to the front from crashing through a barrier gate."

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The CHP says there is evidence that someone climbed the fence to break into the armory, and then use the vehicle to break out. Armories are often used the by National Guard as a place to train and store military equipment. The CHP says it is possible that the suspect may have a military background.

"I believe that's a safe assumption. If you are not in the military, I can only imagine what it takes to start a Humvee," said Hawkins.

Once out on the road, Officer Hawkins says the calls started coming in of a military-style vehicle driving recklessly with no lights. He says CHP launched units to the area of River Road and Barnes Road, but found nothing.

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"We had our entire morning shift get briefed on it. The Sonoma County Sheriff's Department is also aware of what happened. We were hoping that when daylight came up, we would find an abandoned Humvee somewhere out in the west county, but unfortunately, that has not been the case yet," said Hawkins.

Hawkins says the Humvee didn't have any plates, and likely was not designed for street use. He adds, there were no weapons or ammunition in the vehicle.

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