THOSE PARTICIPATING INCLUDED:

Lieutenant Rosenberg then introduced Master of Ceremonies Pat Haslam.  Mr. Haslam gave an opening address and then welcomed everyone to avail themselves of the breakfast buffet.

After the buffet, Pat Haslam then introduced the guest speaker, Santa Ana Police Chief Paul Walters.

Pat Haslam then announced the winners as Lieutenant Rosenberg and former AllState Insurance Special Investigations Unit Investigator Bill deGuzman handed out the numerous award plaques and recognition certificates to each of the winners.

The Top Five Honorees were:

Officer James Geist of the Santa Ana Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the most stolen vehicles throughout the entire county, 25 vehicles, including 13 "rolling stolens," resulting in 15 arrests, with a recovery value of approximately $339,116.  This was the third year in a row that Officer Geist was the top Officer at his department.  Officer Geist was also the 1999 A.T.A.C. Vehicle Theft Officer of the Year.

Officer Geist was presented with a check for his designated charity, the Arthritis Foundation, from the Auto Theft Advisory Committee. 

Additionally the Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented the top five officers a donation check to their designated charity.  Officer Geist chose the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Officer Rafael Martins of the Anaheim Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the second most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Martin's designated charity, the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Officer Dan McCarthy of the Westminster Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the third most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer McCarthy's designated charity, the CHOC Foundation for Children.

Officer Brad Geyer of the Buena Park Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fourth most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Geyer's designated charity, the American Cancer Society.

Officer Pete Arellano of the Garden Grove Police Department was honored as the Officer recovering the fifth most stolen vehicles in the county.  The Orange County Automobile Dealers Association presented a donation check to Officer Arellano's designated charity, the Port Authority Police World Trade Disaster Survivor's Fund.

Special thanks to the following organizations for participating and sponsor- ing the Orange County Auto Theft Advisory Committee (A.T.A.C.) and its Officer of the Year Program; as well as a thank you to the Santa Ana Elks Lodge for their hospitality over the past eleven years.