Westminster officer up for award to honor his work recovering stolen vehicles

A Westminster detective has qualified for a prestigious award from the California Highway Patrol for his work recovering dozens of stolen vehicles last year.

Det. Michael Harvey’s investigative work in 2014 resulted in the recovery of 27 vehicles. Five of those were “rolling stolens” and resulted in the result of six suspects, police said.

The total value of the cars he recovered is estimated at a little more than $151,000.

Westminster police have submitted Harvey’s accomplishment to the state for consideration.

To qualify for the CHP award, an officer must make at least six rolling stolen arrests, recover 12 vehicles with at least three of those being rolling stolens or uncover a vehicle theft ring resulting in the recovery of at least 10 vehicles and two arrests.