Officer lauded for finding stolen cars

A Costa Mesa police officer won recognition this week for recovering stolen vehicles, police said Friday.

Officer Hans-Walter Guenther received commendation as the Costa Mesa Police Department’s Recovery Officer of the Year for 2012 Thursday at the Irvine Marriott Hotel at the Vehicle Theft Recovery Awards. The event sponsored by the Auto Theft Advisory Committee recognizes officers from throughout the region and Guenther’s work was distinguished among the CMPD.

Guenther recovered 18 stolen vehicles worth $186,810, according to a news release.

One high point included simultaneously recovering two stolen Range Rovers worth a combined $100,000 while also arresting a suspect.

In three of the cases, suspects were in the stolen vehicles, police said. Guenther made five felony arrests last year.

— Lauren Williams

Twitter: @lawilliams30