By Spc. Jerome Bishop
Staff writer
Vehicle theft doesn't only exist as a problem in the states, but also during deployments. Soldiers and units suffer from Humvee theft on Logistics Support Area Anaconda.
"The overall problem is that people aren't securing their Humvees," said Sgt. 1st Class Kerry Buckner, noncommissioned officer in-charge of Law and Order for 939th Military Police Detachment, 42nd Military Police Brigade. "They have the chains and cables but just don't lock them up."
"You don't leave your car unlocked in New York City. People (here) just have a false sense of hope."
The motives behind Humvee theft range between Soldiers being in a desperate rush and just picking the closest vehicle to just being too lazy to wait for the bus to get from the Post Exchange to the west side of base.
"Most of the time it's just people on the east side trying to get to the west side," said Buckner.
Popular post facilities such as the PX are common sites for vehicle theft. Such sites make it harder to track stolen unit property.
"If someone steals [a vehicle] from the PX parking lot, you don't have a lot of leads," Buckner said. "Soldiers think with a false sense of security that we all went to basic training and we are all disciplined."
Punishments for vehicle theft can vary depending on the outcome of the investigation. Soldiers who steal vehicles for temporary use, classified as wrongful appropriation, are subject to Article 121 under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which states "Military property of a value of more than $500 or of any military motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, firearm, or explosive -- dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement of two years."
Soldiers accused of larceny, or intent of permanent possession of a stolen item, are subject to a much more sever punishment under the UCMJ that states " "Military property of a value of more than $500 or of any military motor vehicle, aircraft, vessel, firearm, or explosive -- Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement of ten years."
Once a vehicle is reported missing, MP's have to go off of little information to get the vehicle back.
"It normally takes two to three days," said Buckner. "[Thieves] just hope that there's enough delay in the report that they won't get caught."
One method units can assist MP's in tracking property in the event of theft is to install hidden identification numbers throughout the vehicle.
"Normal vehicles have vehicle identification numbers on them," said Buckner. "Humvees don't have that. This is a preventive measure units can take -- to attach hidden VINs on the vehicles somewhere."
Although theft has decreased in the past few months, Soldiers still need to secure their vehicles anytime they are left unattended, regardless of how long they are left alone.
Editor's Note: Spc. Bishop is a member of the 1st COSCOM Public Affairs Office at LSA Anaconda.
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| Date Taken: | 06.21.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2005 13:24 |
| Story ID: | 2222 |
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| Web Views: | 53 |
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