Authorities find van stolen in 1974

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents said a search of a shipping container bound for the Netherlands revealed a vehicle reported stolen in 1974.

Customs agents in Los Angeles said they opened the shipping container in October and discovered a restored 1965 Volkswagen that was reported stolen from an auto upholstery shop in Spokane, Wash., in 1974, The (Spokane) Spokesman-Review reported Friday.

Michael Maleta, an auto theft investigator with the California Highway Patrol, said the van was being shipped with three restored VW Beetles by a custom restoration business in Arizona. Maleta said the shop, which was not named, is also considered a victim in the case.

Investigators said they have been unable to locate the van's original owners, but it was turned over to Allstate Insurance Co., which paid off the owner in 1974. They said the van is believed to have changed hands several times between its theft and discovery.