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Montana de Oro standoff suspect allegedly stole U.S. military-procured truck

August 1, 2024

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

The suspect who engaged in a multi-hour standoff with law enforcement at Montana de Oro State Park on Wednesday allegedly stole a transport vehicle that was procured by the United States military and is designed to carry M1 Abrams tanks.

On Wednesday, a witness reported a suspicious vehicle in a parking lot off Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos. Deputies arrived and the driver, later identified as 63-year-old Patrick Kevin VanNess of Los Angeles, then fled to Montana de Oro State Park, broke through a gate and ended up in the Sandspit Beach area. 

Deputies tried to contact VanNess, but he refused commands to exit the truck. After VanNess refused to leave the truck, detail members sprayed tear gas inside the vehicle, and the suspect got out of the truck.

Deputies booked VanNess in San Luis Obispo County Jail on charges of obstructing or resisting a public officer, fleeing a peace officer while reckless driving with disregard, no evidence of current vehicle registration, vandalism, driving without a license, obstructing or resisting an executive officer and burglary.

On Thursday, the sheriff’s office announced that its detectives confirmed the vehicle involved in the incident is a M1070 Heavy Equipment Transport vehicle that was designed for the United States military. The vehicle was manufactured earlier this year and was then stolen in transit prior to being delivered to the military in Southern California, according to the sheriff’s office. 

Valued at more than $500,000, the M1070 is specifically used to transport M1 Abrams tanks. 

The M1070 that VanNess allegedly stole became stuck in the sand at Montana de Oro several times due to its weight and size. On Thursday, sheriff’s deputies managed to remove the vehicle from the beach at Montana de Oro with assistance from California State Parks and California Army National Guard personnel. 

Sheriff’s officials say VanNess will be charged with theft of the vehicle. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

VanNess is currently being held in SLO County Jail with his bail set at $80,000.

 


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This guy is a french fry short of a happy meal isnt he


0

Multiple felonies and only $80,000 bail?


3

Wrong type of vehicle for a thief hoping to avoid the police.


5

The HET was disabled (but not 100%) along LOVR, and parked where the North lanes split. Likely, it had an operational issue that required the computer to tell the driver to shut it down and be towed. LOVR is part of the test drive route for the shop at Camp SLO. Since it was still able to run, albeit increasing the damage, this blockhead figured out how to start it up and go on his rampage.


It is not a secret, that military vehicles are easy to steal, especially if you have served and know the start procedure.


2

Oshkosh M1070 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oshkosh_M1070


3

Go big or stay home. Should I ever decide to commit motor vehicle theft it won’t be some beat up Honda Civic.


10

That looks like a Heavy equipment transport vehicle or better known as a HET. I drove them in the military and at the time they were the largest military vehicle there was. Your looking down on a semi when driving them on the hwy. Which begs the question how in the world someone can so easily still such a large, visible vehicle? Lol


14