Bend, OR – A 22-year-old truck driver from Monrovia, California, was cited for second-degree theft after allegedly stealing a semi-truck and removing its GPS unit on December 18, according to the Oregon State Police (OSP).

The incident began earlier that morning when the driver, identified as Jamari M. Bars, was reportedly fired by his employer. Bars, who had been driving a semi-truck with a secondary driver, took the opportunity to drive off with the vehicle while the secondary driver was inside a truck stop restroom. Upon returning to the parking lot, the secondary driver discovered the truck had been stolen.

Authorities were alerted to the theft and responded shortly after 10:00 a.m., receiving reports of a stolen truck traveling southbound on Interstate 5 near Corvallis. OSP troopers located the truck and conducted a high-risk traffic stop at Exit 195. During the stop, it was revealed that Bars had discarded the truck’s GPS unit, allegedly throwing it out the window to avoid being tracked. Additionally, Bars had disconnected the truck’s trailer and left it abandoned on the shoulder of Interstate 5.

Despite the theft of the truck, the company chose not to press charges for taking the vehicle. However, they pursued charges for the theft of the GPS unit. Bars was cited for second-degree theft in lieu of custody. No further details regarding his potential court appearance have been provided.

The incident highlights the ongoing risks associated with GPS theft in the trucking industry, as companies and law enforcement work to recover stolen assets and prevent similar crimes.