--- title: "National Guard is still missing a Humvee in northern California" description: "A thief broke into a California National Guard armory in Santa Rosa on July 3, stealing a Humvee, and has eluded grasp since." date: "2023-07-08" modified: "2023-07-08" authors: - name: "Nicholas Slayton" job_title: "Contributing Editor" link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/nicholas-slayton/" url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/california-national-guard-missing-humvee-santa-rosa/" categories: - "Military Branches" - "National Guard" - "News" - "Tech & Tactics" --- # National Guard is still missing a Humvee in northern California ![]() Just ahead of the 4th of July, someone stole a Humvee from a National Guard armory in Santa Rosa, Calif. If you see it, or know where it is, the California National Guard would like it back. The Humvee was stolen from the Santa Rosa National Guard Armory just after 10 p.m. on Monday, July 3. The Humvee has been missing since, with California Highway Patrol unable to find it over the 4th of July week. Per local news outlet [ABC 7](), California Highway Patrol says there is evidence the thief climbed into the area over a fence — using a tarp to get over the defensive wire — before using the Humvee to crash through a gate on the way out. "We started getting reports of a reckless driver, a speeding driver and, of course, of a Humvee," Officer Marcus Hawkins with CHP [told]() ABC 7. [**Subscribe to Task & Purpose Today**]()**. Get the latest military news and culture in your inbox daily.** CHP said that there are no weapons or ammunition onboard the stolen vehicle. Hawkins told ABC 7 there’s a “safe assumption” that the thief had military experience. The Humvee has been seen driving at night without its lights on. Despite the size and distinctive appearance, authorities at both California Highway Patrol and the National Guard have yet to recover it. However, the thief who is living life a quarter mile at a time has not gotten away from the area. The Los Angeles Times reported that CHP has received several tips from people who spotted it around Sonoma County and near Sacramento, but the Humvee and the driver have eluded capture. It’s unclear how the thief has been keeping it fueled over the past week without attracting attention. This isn’t the first time someone stole a Humvee from the California National Guard. In 2021, a thief took one from an armory in Bell, California, near Los Angeles. The driver avoided capture for three days before the [FBI located]() the abandoned Humvee near the Los Angeles River. Another Humvee was taken from the Army Reserve’s center in Upland, Calif. In 2020, when a parolee was able to steal it, but he was apprehended shortly after. In 2021 he was [sentenced]() to 34 months in prison. Other branches of the military have also had weapons and equipment go missing. 3rd Battalion, 6th Marines has had some [unfortunate luck]() with that, with two rifles going missing from Camp Lejeune in December 2019. This January, a Sig Sauer M18 plus two magazines were reported lost. If you are in California Wine Country and see a Humvee on the road, there’s a good chance it’s the one the National Guard is missing. California Highway Patrol is taking tips during the week at (707) 588-1400. *Note: A previous version of this story reported that the keys to the Humvee were left in the vehicle. The story has been updated, as the Humvee does not require a key to start.* ## The latest on Task & Purpose - **We salute the USS Chung-Hoon for** [**flying its battle flag**]() **on the way back to port** - **The New Yorker** [**makes a joke**]() **of the Army’s tactical bra. It’s not** - **The Army’s yearslong fight over its** [**controversial new fitness test**]() **isn’t over yet** - **Army names finalists in race to** [**replace M2 Bradley**]() **Fighting Vehicle** - [**The A-10 is retiring**]() **and the Air Force has no close air support replacement** ## Author Nicholas Slayton is a contributing editor for Task & Purpose, covering conflict for over 12 years, from the Arab Spring to the war in Ukraine. His previous reporting can be found on the non-profit Aslan Media, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, The New Republic, The American Prospect, Architectural Digest, The Daily Beast, and the Los Angeles Downtown News. You can reach him at nicholas@taskandpurpose.com or find him on Twitter @NSlayton and Bluesky at @nslayton.bsky.social. ### Author social links [Twitter]()