Stolen trailer with Memorial Day flags found empty at Bakersfield DMV

It's been over a week since Denise Haynes, the event director for the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club realized their trailer full of the Memorial Day traditional flags went missing.

But on Friday, she received a call from the Bakersfield Police Department saying they found the trailer at the DMV on Schirra Court in southwest Bakersfield.

The DMV identified the trailer by running its VIN, which flagged it as stolen.

"As soon as I saw it, I knew it was our trailer because of some of the distinguishing characteristics of it," said Haynes. "It was empty, it was clean empty, and that just made my heart sink all over again."

Haynes said despite the flags still missing, the 2025 event will still go on.

"If we need to purchase all new flags and all new equipment, for posting the flags we certainly will do so, and I'll convene the committee shortly and we'll discuss a plan of action," she added.

Haynes took Eyewitness News through the recovered trailer, pointing out some of the changes made by the thieves.

"You can see where they took the emblem, it's a Wells Cargo trailer and that emblem was up there, and they got rid of it and painted over it."

They also removed the license plate and switched out one of the wheels with a different one.

Inside the trailer was bare, a stark reminder of what was lost.

"I'm super grateful to have it back because now whether we get the original flags back, or get new ones. We still have a home for them," she added.