Tillamook Cheese Vans Found Safe; 2 Sacramento Men Arrested

Both suspects were taken into custody in the City of Rocklin, Calif., without incident.

After an extensive investigation, Tuesday at 12:45 p.m., members of the San Joaquin County’s Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force arrested two people involved in the theft of several Tillamook Cheese vehicles, which included three custom VW Micro-Buses, valued at $300,000. Photo Courtesy: Manteca Police Department

(MANTECA, Calif. ) - After an extensive investigation, Tuesday at 12:45 p.m., members of the San Joaquin County’s Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force arrested two people involved in the theft of several Tillamook Cheese vehicles, which included three custom VW Micro-Buses, valued at $300,000.

Both suspects were taken into custody in the City of Rocklin, Calif., without incident.

The suspects, identified as 32-year-old Brian Lancaster, and 38-year-old Ryan Monaco, both of Sacramento, were booked at the San Joaquin County Jail on charges of Stolen Vehicle, Possession of Stolen Property, Arson, and Conspiracy.

The theft occurred over the weekend, while the Tillamook Cheese transport truck and trailer containing the restored VW buses were parked at a hotel parking lot in Manteca.

The San Joaquin County’s Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force consisting of the California Highway Patrol, the Manteca Police Department, the San Joaquin County Sheriff Department, the Stockton Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, the San Joaquin County Probation Department and the San Joaquin County District Attorney's Office, took the lead in the investigation.

If not for the combined efforts of each member the San Joaquin County Delta Regional Auto Theft Task Force this quick recovery of vehicles and apprehension of these suspects would not have been possible.

Source: Manteca Police Department