Los Angeles, CA - LAPD Bomb Squad Movie Vehicle Stolen and Left on Bridge - Suspect in Custody - Felony Charges

CHINATOWN, July 26, 2007 (KABC-TV) - There were some tense moments on the edge of Chinatown, when deputies discovered what looked like a stolen LAPD Bomb Squad vehicle on Monday. It was stolen, but it wasn't what it appeared to be.


It was a mystery for a little while. Sheriff's deputies knew they had a stolen vehicle on their hands.
It turns out the vehicle was stolen from a lot in Chinatown, which is filled with lots of official looking vehicles, but all of them are props which are used in movies.

It looked like the real thing to an L.A. County Sheriff's deputy. With LAPD Bomb Squad markings on its side, the deputy thought something seemed suspicious about the vehicle and where it was stopped, on a bridge off Spring Street.

Some sleuthing by the diligent deputy confirmed the truck was reported stolen, but not by the LAPD.

"To the unsuspecting eye, yes, one would absolutely think this is an actual LAPD Bomb Squad vehicle, but it's not. Our equipment's a little bit more modern," Sgt. Phil Tamez, of the LAPD, said.

The Bomb Squad vehicle was an imposter, a prop, used for action movies shot around town.

Nevertheless, a crime was committed and an arrest was made.

"He scaled the fence, hopped into this car, evidently the keys were already in it, or something. As you can see it's a replica LAPD Bomb Squad truck. He burst through the fence and then came up northbound on Spring ... and then he stalled out the vehicle and that's where deputies and officers from the Los Angeles Police Department took him into custody," Tamez said.

No word on whether the suspect thought he made out with the real thing.

The suspect is now facing felony charges of grand theft auto.

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