Rodeo announcer Anthony Lucia was pranked when his custom truck was taken and left miles away just hours before a show in California. He shared the bizarre experience shortly after it happened.
Key points
Rodeo announcer Anthony Lucia was pranked before a show.
His custom truck was taken and left miles away.
The incident occurred in Thermal, California.
Lucia shared the experience in a video.
The prank happened just hours before the Desert Rodeo.
Mentioned in this story
Anthony LuciaThermal, California
Desert Rodeo
Collage of a rodeo cowboy and a woman posing, a cowboy on horseback with a microphone, and a white pickup truck pulling a trailer.
Collage of a rodeo cowboy and a woman posing, a cowboy on horseback with a microphone, and a white pickup truck pulling a trailer.
A popular rodeo announcer has revealed he was the victim of a bizarre prank Friday after his custom truck was taken and left miles away just hours before a scheduled show.
Texan Anthony Lucia said the incident unfolded shortly before he was set to enter the arena at Desert Rodeo in Thermal, California, after attending a pre-show meeting and unloading equipment.
Texan Anthony Lucia said the incident unfolded shortly before he was set to enter the arena at Desert Rodeo in Thermal, California, after attending a pre-show meeting and unloading equipment.
Texan Anthony Lucia said the incident unfolded shortly before he was set to enter the arena at Desert Rodeo in Thermal, California, after attending a pre-show meeting and unloading equipment.
Q&A
What prank was played on rodeo announcer Anthony Lucia?
Anthony Lucia's custom truck was taken and left miles away just hours before his scheduled show.
Where did the prank on Anthony Lucia take place?
The prank occurred in Thermal, California, just before the Desert Rodeo event.
How did Anthony Lucia react to the prank?
Lucia recounted the incident in a video, noting that it started out great before the prank unfolded.
When did the prank on Anthony Lucia happen?
The prank took place on a Friday, just hours before Lucia was set to enter the arena for the rodeo.
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Lucia (pictured with his wife Lisa) and others began searching the area, driving around nearby roads and even checking locations near the airport before eventually spotting the truck. Facebook/Anthony Lucia
Lucia (pictured with his wife Lisa) and others began searching the area, driving around nearby roads and even checking locations near the airport before eventually spotting the truck. Facebook/Anthony Lucia
But when he returned, his truck â a highly recognizable custom vehicle â was gone.
âCome out, my truckâs gone. I cannot find it anywhere. Like, Iâm looking around asking everybody, nobodyâs seen it,â he said.
Lucia said the truck was easily identifiable and difficult to miss, adding to his confusion when it suddenly disappeared. âMy truckâs a very distinct⊠itâs sweet looking. Anyway, it is gone,â he said.
Lucia said the truck was easily identifiable and difficult to miss, adding to his confusion when it suddenly disappeared. âMy truckâs a very distinct⊠itâs sweet looking. Anyway, it is gone,â he said.
Lucia said the truck was easily identifiable and difficult to miss, adding to his confusion when it suddenly disappeared. âMy truckâs a very distinct⊠itâs sweet looking. Anyway, it is gone,â he said.
The announcer said he initially panicked before using a tracking app to locate the vehicle, which showed it had been moved off-site.
âSo I immediately, like, panicked⊠and then I pulled up my app, and Iâm like, itâs on Lindbergh Road or something,â he said.
Lucia and others began searching the area, driving around nearby roads and even checking locations near the airport before eventually spotting the truck.
The rodeo, which is next to the Stagecoach music festival in Thermal, California, was packed with social media influencers over the weekend. Instagram/@isabelalysa
The rodeo, which is next to the Stagecoach music festival in Thermal, California, was packed with social media influencers over the weekend. Instagram/@isabelalysa
âI found a way down a gator, got a golf cart⊠get in, and thereâs my truck,â he said. Nothing inside the vehicle appeared to be missing, including valuable rodeo equipment.
âNothing was taken out of it. My saddle was there, so somebody played a very ill-timed joke on me, two hours before the rodeo starts,â Lucia said.
Despite the scare, Lucia said he was able to recover the truck in time for the event and continue with his duties.
He added: âAnyways, weâre all good. Godâs good⊠Off to a great start.â
It remains unclear who moved the truck or how it was taken. No arrests have been reported, and Lucia indicated he believes the incident was a prank rather than a theft.
