Military ‘Sting’ Nails 134 and $1.5 Million in Pilfered Gear
A two-year undercover sting investigation of supply thefts from Camp Pendleton has resulted in the prosecution of 134 people and the recovery of nearly $1.5 million in stolen gas masks, flak jackets, fatigues and other items, Sen. Pete Wilson (R-Calif.) said Friday.
Wilson updated results of the joint FBI-Naval Investigative Service inquiry, code-named “Operation Rip-stop,” while announcing plans to conduct hearings as chairman of the Senate’s special task force on military inventory management.
The first hearing, scheduled next month in Washington, will focus on military ammunition thefts, Wilson said.
Authorities revealed in November, 1984, that they had operated a surplus store in Oceanside where they purchased pilfered field equipment from hundreds of service personnel. The gear was then sold to surplus wholesalers who ignored undercover agents’ warnings that the items were stolen.
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