The California Highway Patrol (CHP) says that there is a happy ending for three military families who lost all of their belongings when the semi truck hauling them was stolen on Christmas Day.
On January 3, the Stockton division of the CHP shared a news release detailing the theft that threatened the holidays for three active duty military families:
“On 12/25/2019, the theft of a tractor-trailer and a 53 foot trailer occurred in Stockton. The trailer contained all of the belongings and property of three active military families, who were in the process of active duty relocations. The property had a total value of over $100,000. Investigators from the Delta Regional Auto Theft Team (comprised of investigators from CHP, Stockton PD, Manteca PD, Tracy PD, San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Department and San Joaquin County Probation) teamed up CHP’s Cargo Theft Interdiction Program to investigate the theft.
On December 28, 2019, the investigators located and recovered the stolen truck and trailer in the city of Manteca. Later that evening, investigators authored and executed a search warrant at the home of the suspect, identified as Michael Travis Forward, in the city of Livingston, during which they located approximately 90% of the stolen cargo load.
On December 31, 2019, investigators located and arrested Michael Travis Forward in possession of a stolen Harley Davidson. Suspect Forward was booked into San Joaquin County Jail on charges related to auto theft and cargo theft.
The investigation is still ongoing and investigators continue to attempt to locate 14 stolen firearms. The Task Force is asking for the public for assistance. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Delta Regional Auto Theft Team at (209)948-3790.”