April 10, 2026 – Merced County Sheriff's Office officials report that on April 8, 2026, the Merced Sheriff Dive Rescue and Recovery Team responded to the Merced River near Robin Avenue in Livingston to look for a submerged vehicle that was spotted by the Merced Sheriff’s Helicopter.

Due to the shoreline's height and grade, our Divers were lowered into the water, where they located the vehicle and confirmed it was unoccupied. The vehicle was then rigged and pulled from the water by a commercial wrecker. It was discovered that the vehicle had been reported stolen over 21 years earlier.

Great job to our Dive team members for recovering this vehicle and clearing up the waterways in Merced County!

Source & photos: Merced County Sheriff's Office