Pomona Parolee Sentenced for Humvee Theft in Upland Chase

Armed with nothing but ambition and an unlicensed Humvee, Armando Garcia, 30, of Pomona, turned a routine military equipment storage into a high-speed spectacle. Today, the consequences caught up to him as Garcia was sentenced to 34 months in federal prison for his audacious theft of a U.S. Army Reserve Center’s High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee) and subsequent police chase.

Garcia, who was already on parole following convictions for theft and burglary in 2019, made his move on November 9, 2020. The once-secure Humvee, locked up tight at the Upland Reserve Center, became Garcia’s ticket to an adrenaline-fueled ride.

But as Garcia fled with the semi-armored combat vehicle and its mounted turret, Pomona Police officers quickly got wind of the situation. A high-speed pursuit ensued, lasting about four minutes. According to prosecutors, Garcia didn’t just drive off; he drove into chaos, barreling down the wrong side of the road, ignoring red lights and stop signs, and navigating tight alleys like a professional.

The chase ended with Garcia surrendering in front of a residential home, where police found the telltale bolt cutters and Army-approved padlock that had been used to break into the Humvee’s security measures. Inside the steel-wired Humvee, designed to prevent steering wheel turning, was Garcia’s bold imprint.

The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI’s San Gabriel Valley Safe Streets Task Force, with the Pomona Police Department as the sponsoring agency. Assistant United States Attorney Juan M. Rodríguez handled the prosecution with precision. This sentence is a stark reminder that even on parole, the law will catch up to those who think they can outsmart it.