SLOSheriff
Felony Evasion, Destruction of Public Property Update
DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 7-31-2024, APPROXIMATELY 3:15 PM
PLACE OF OCCURRENCE: LOS OSOS VALLEY ROAD, LOS OSOS
VICTIM INFORMATION: N/A
SUSPECT INFORMATION: PATRICK KEVIN VANNESS, 63, LOS ANGELES
The Sheriff’s Office is releasing additional details regarding a suspicious vehicle incident which occurred on 7-31-2024 in Los Osos.
The Sheriff’s Office had received a report of a suspicious vehicle in Los Osos. The vehicle was described as a military style tractor-trailer. When Deputies arrived, the driver of the vehicle fled to Montana de Oro State Park, breaking through a gate, and ending up in the area known as Sandspit Beach.
The suspect was eventually arrested and taken to County Jail. He’s been identified as 63-year-old Patrick Kevin VanNess of Los Angeles.
Sheriff’s Detectives have confirmed that the vehicle involved in yesterday’s pursuit in Los Osos is a M1070 Heavy Equipment Transport vehicle designed for the US military.
The vehicle was manufactured earlier this year. It was stolen in transit before it was delivered to the military in Southern California. The M1070 Transport vehicle is specifically used to transport the M1 Abrams tank.
VanNess will be charged with theft of the vehicle, which is valued at over $500,000.
Earlier today the vehicle was removed from the beach at Montana de Oro after it became stuck in the sand several times due to its weight and size.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank California State Parks and the California Army National Guard for their assistance recovering the vehicle.
The investigation is continuing. No further information is available at this time.
Original Report
On 7-31-2024, the Sheriff’s Office received a report of a suspicious vehicle that was in a parking lot off Los Osos Valley Road in Los Osos. The vehicle was described as the front portion or “cab”of a military style tractor-trailer.
When Deputies arrived, the driver of the vehicle fled to Montana de Oro State Park, breaking through a gate, and ending up in the area known as Sandspit Beach. Deputies, Harbor Patrol, Coast Guard and State Park Rangers, were able to set up a perimeter around the truck. Deputies attempted to make contact with the suspect but he refused commands to leave the truck.
The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED) arrived on scene. Again, the suspect refused to leave the truck. At that time, the SED team introduced tear gas into the truck. At approximately 7:45 PM the suspect exited the vehicle and was taken into custody.
At this time the identity of the suspect is not yet known. The investigation is ongoing. No further information is available at this time.
I would love to hear the entirety and details of this crazy story!