Introduction to the Incident

Federal officials have arrested a Santa Ana man they say made off with more than $200,000 worth of military equipment from Tustin before some of it was later recovered in Orange.
As detailed by Seamus Hughes’ Court Watch, Guadalupe Blanco is accused of working with a member of the Army Reserve to steal gear and at least two Humvees from the U.S. Army Reserve Center at 15992 Red Hill Avenue in Tustin in January.

The Accused and the Crime

That reservist, identified by prosecutors as Albert Reyes of Orange, and Blanco communicated about what to do with the Humvees in the days after the burglary, with Reyes noting that "This is gonna be a stolen military vehicle" and asking who appears to be Blanco "Can you hide it," the criminal complaint says.

A soldier of the U.S. Army mans a gun turret on a Humvee during the Combined Resolve 25-1 military exercises at the Hohenfels Training Area in Bavaria on Feb. 3, 2025, near Hohenfels, Germany. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Recovery of Stolen Items

In the days immediately after the break-in, law enforcement recovered two Humvees, one of which was in a church parking lot in Orange and another parked on a Santa Ana street.
A Humvee was also spotted at Reyes’ home, where four people reportedly unloaded gear from the vehicle. It’s unclear if that Humvee was one of the two that was recovered or if it is another allegedly stolen vehicle.
Also recovered was gear like smoke grenades, artillery rounds, uniforms, machine gun mounts and bayonets, officials said.

Investigation and Response

The Army declined to comment when reached by Court Watch.
Reyes was released on bond and is due back in court in April.

Conclusion

The theft of military equipment, including Humvees, uniforms, and gear, from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tustin, is a serious incident that highlights the need for increased security measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The recovery of some of the stolen items and the arrest of the accused individuals are positive steps towards justice, but the incident raises concerns about the potential risks and consequences of military equipment falling into the wrong hands.

FAQs

Q: What was stolen from the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Tustin?
A: More than $200,000 worth of military equipment, including at least two Humvees, uniforms, smoke grenades, artillery rounds, machine gun mounts, and bayonets.
Q: Who was involved in the theft?
A: Guadalupe Blanco and Albert Reyes, a member of the Army Reserve, are accused of working together to steal the equipment.
Q: What was the outcome of the recovery efforts?
A: Two Humvees and some of the stolen gear were recovered, including items found in a church parking lot in Orange and at Reyes’ home.
Q: What are the next steps in the case?
A: Reyes was released on bond and is due back in court in April.