MANTECA (CBS13) – Police have arrested two Sacramento men in connection with the theft of several vehicles and a trailer owned by Tillamook cheese in Manteca last week, say authorities.

The arrests come after three stolen Volkswagen Mini Buses owned by the company were found in Copperopolis on Monday night.

The suspects’ identities and the specific charges they are facing have not been released.

Manteca police officers served a search warrant at 8:30 p.m. on a storage unit on Cosmic Court and found the bright orange Volkswagen minibuses parked inside.

The vehicles, which are valued at $100,000 each, appeared to be in perfect condition, unlike the trailer and truck used to haul the buses. They were found burned Sunday morning in Jamestown.

The whole Tillamook Cheese Tour truck caravan was stolen from the parking lot of a Manteca hotel Saturday morning.At some point between 12:30 and 6:30 a.m., thieves took off with the whole caravan of vehicles.

Watch: Interview With Chief Obligacion



The VW Mini Buses were in the trailer, which was attached to a Ford F-350, when the theft happened, police say.

The buses are used as a part of Tillamook’s promotional tour, each one highlighting the company’s different cheese, yogurt and ice cream products.

Tillamook issued the following statement:

“…Tillamook would like to express sincere appreciation to the law enforcement agencies who have been tirelessly working this case over the past few days, as well as to all of the media outlets and loyal Tillamook fans that helped spread the word about our missing vehicles. While this kind of senseless crime is shocking and saddening, we are grateful for this happy ending.”

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