Here’s the latest post in LoCO‘s “Be On the Lookout” series, where we highlight stolen items and ask you to help by reporting any sighting to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

UPDATE 12/1: A LoCO reader saw the BoLO for the stolen jeep and recognized the vehicle. He spoke to the people who had the car. They contacted the Sheriff’s Department. The owner, Wesley Smith, now has it in his possession. He wrote us that the jeep had been “sold” twice with fake bills of sale so it doesn’t look like anyone will be prosecuted. 

“To all the thieves involved, I hope Santa puts coal in your stockings…,” he said along with a few other choice curses.

On the other hand, he said, 

Batting for the other team, a family Humboldt County and McKinleyville both can be proud of. 
Let me introduce Gene Steele and his family of McKinleyville, including his wife and one of their sons who came to my assistance.

Words fail me at times like this.  I wish I could say something slick with a silver tongue, but the only thing I can say to Gene Steele and his family is, “Thank you very much.” The effort you put forth in helping me secure and recover my Jeep was beyond over the top. Gene owns a tow truck which came in handy as he used it to tow my Jeep to a safer location.
Gene is with Customer Auto Recovery Service.

I hope they never need it, but if they do, I hope somebody is as willing and able to help them like they helped me. 

Thank you Kym for posting my Jeep, which ultimately led to it’s recovery.  
Another thanks to all the LoCo readers who went into action looking for my Jeep.

UPDATE 1:30 p.m.: The owner contacted us and let us know that his vehicle has been found in McKinleyville.

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Original post:An orange, 1968 CJ5 Jeep was taken from the Eureka area. It has a personalized, veteran’s license plate “CG 31.”  It’s body/tub is orange with a black soft top with 33” x 12.5” x 15” off road tires. An 8,000 lb Warn winch adorns the front bumper. There is no rear bumper. just a trailer hitch mounted between the frame rails.

The owner wrote, “It had to be taken in the dark of night as there are issues with the brakes.”

If anyone has any information about it, they can call the owner at 707-267-1588, and/or EPD at, 707-441-4044. 

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