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LoJack’s Top Ten Recovery Stories of 2014

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With the end of the year in sight, it’s time for a LoJack tradition. We’ve collected some of the wildest and wackiest stories that the LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System was involved with in 2014 and compiled them into our Top 10 stolen vehicle recovery stories of the year. Enjoy – and from our LoJack family to yours, happy holidays!

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#1 – DON’T “LIKE” THIS

On Nov. 19, 2014, the owner of a Chrysler 300 contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department and reported that vehicle had been stolen. Apparently she had parked the vehicle in her driveway and had left the car keys on the driver’s seat. The officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Chrysler.

Within minutes from the activation, Deputies from the LASD San Dimas Station and officers from surrounding Police departments began picking up the silent LoJack® homing signals from the stolen Chrysler with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. A broadcast was initiated and within minutes, an officer from Glendora Police Department radioed that he had just tracked and located the vehicle parked and abandoned on Orangecrest Ave in the city of Azusa. No suspect had been observed at that time.

As the deputies responded to the location, a citizen alerted them to a male she had seen wearing a black hoodie running from the scene. A few minutes later an officer from Azusa Police Department was flagged over by another citizen who told him that a male wearing a black hoodie sweat shirt had ran into some bushes. The Azusa officer began searching and observed a male matching the description carrying a black hoodie. He was detained for investigation. Deputies had apparently located a cell phone inside the recovered Chrysler as well as property that did not belong to the victim. Deputies contacted the suspect and asked if he owned the cell phone. He denied that he did. Deputies turned on the phone and through Facebook saw the photo of the suspect. The suspect was arrested and booked VC 10851 – driving a motor vehicle without owner’s consent. The undamaged recovered Chrysler was released to the victim.

#2 – OLDIE BUT A GOODIE 

On Nov. 7, 2014, the owner of a 1968 Pontiac Firebird Classic Convertible contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and reported that vehicle had been stolen from a locked garage. The deputies verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Pontiac Firebird.

Within less than 2 hours from the activation, officers from LAPD 77th St Division picked up the silent LoJack® unit homing signals from the stolen Pontiac Firebird with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.  Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the officers located the vehicle parked to the rear of a residence on Victoria. No suspects were observed and the undamaged vehicle was towed for safe keeping.

The owner of this Firebird related when he was 24 years old, he purchased a partially stripped vehicle missing most of the parts and restored the Firebird over the years.  According to the owner, his father made him purchase a LoJack system just in case it was ever stolen. The owner had hoped the LoJack would work but had some doubts since it was over 20 years old and had never had any inspections since it was installed.  Much to his surprised it worked perfectly and the Pontiac Firebird was tracked and recovered in perfect condition. The owner stated he was glad he listened to his Father.

#3 – GANG RELATED

On Nov. 7, 2014, the owner of a Honda Accord contacted the Rialto (CA) Police Department and reported that vehicle had been stolen. The officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda.

Officers from the Redlands Police assigned to the Multiple Enforcement Team (MET) had been conducting surveillances of a location in the 800 block of Lugonia in reference to possible Chop Shop activities. One of the officers drove near the location and picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda Accord with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. A lengthy surveillance was initiated on the well-fortified residence while MET officers wrote up a request for a Search Warrant for the location. Upon execution of the Search Warrant, two suspects attempted to flee out the back of the stolen Honda and were quickly taken into custody without further incident. Inside the “barricaded location”, a female was found hiding in a closet.

The MET detectives identified two other stolen vehicles on the property, a 1996 Accord Civic and a 1994 Acura Integra that had been stolen in 2010 from Los Angeles. The detectives also recovered stolen property that had been taken from another stolen vehicle case earlier that week. The suspects were arrested and booked VC 10801 Operating a Chop shop as well as other felony violations.  The suspects were also tied to a local gang known as “Varrio Redlands Street Gang”.

#4 – RULE OF THREE

On May 18, 2014, the owner of a 1997 Acura Integra contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Central Station to report that their vehicle was stolen from their residence. Deputies verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Acura.

A short while later, Deputies from SBSO Central Station picked up the silent signals from the LoJack® System installed on stolen Acura Via the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) installed in their patrol vehicles. Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack® PTC, the stolen Acura tracked the vehicle to a motel located near Washington and Barton. A detective from Central Station responded in an undercover unit and surveilled the stolen Acura.  A short time later he observed a male approach the Acura, enter and remove something, then watched as he walked into one of the motel units. This individual exited the property, entered into another car and drove off. Deputies affected a felony traffic stop on the suspect and detained him. During a field interview, the deputies located shaved keys on his person along with Methamphetamine. The detective at the scene contacted a female in the motel unit and obtained her name, however, at that time she had no identification. The male suspect was arrested for PC 496 RSP and drug charges.

Earlier that morning, deputies had located a stolen vehicle, 1999 Honda via a license plate reader. As the deputy approached, a female ran from the car leaving her purse and ID behind. This stolen Honda and another stolen 2006 Honda was recovered at this area. After hearing of the arrest, deputies contacted detectives and asked if they could help ID the female who left her ID in the stolen 1999 Honda. When the name was mentioned, they matched it to the female who was in the motel unit when the first stolen car was tracked. Deputies and detectives responded back to the motel and contacted another female who gave them information that their female suspect had just left and was going to sell a stolen hand gun to raise bail for her boyfriend who had been arrested earlier. Deputies and detectives were able to locate this female, arrest her and recover the stolen hand gun.  A total of three suspects were arrested and booked on felony charges.

#5 – THE POWER OF BOREDOM

On November 19, 2014 the owners of a Honda Civic contacted the LAPD Southeast station to report that their vehicle was stolen. LAPD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda.

Only four minutes later LASD Airship 24 picked up the silent LoJack® homing signals from the stolen Honda with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, Airship 24 located the vehicle traveling northbound Compton Avenue at Imperial Highway. Airship 24 broadcast the stolen information to assisting patrol deputies. The vehicle stopped in a parking lot at 115th and Evers Avenue. The driver, and lone occupant, exited the vehicle and ran north through surrounding properties. Airship 24 was able to direct patrol deputies to the location of the fleeing subject and he was taken into custody. The subject told deputies he used a shaved key to take the vehicle and that he stole the vehicle because he was “bored.”

#6 – A CHOP SHOP IN COLORADO

On August 29, 2014, the owner of a Subaru Impreza WRX contacted the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office to report that his vehicle had been stolen from a parking lot during the night. The Sheriff’s Deputy verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Subaru.

A short while later officers from several law enforcement agencies (Colorado State Patrol, Parker PD, Lone Tree PD, Denver PD and Aurora PD) picked up the silent LoJack® homing signals from the stolen Impreza with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC officers with Aurora PD tracked and located the signal coming from a residential garage in North Aurora.

The East Metro Auto Theft Task Force was called in and took over the investigation. Their patience and tactics paid off when the stolen vehicle was moved to yet another location along with another stolen vehicle, a Honda.  At this second location both stolen vehicles were recovered and arrests made even after one suspect made strenuous efforts to escape on foot endangering himself and several motorists on Interstate-70. This Subaru was recovered in very good condition and was released to a very happy owner. This matter remains under investigation by the EMATT team as a “chop shop” investigation.

#7 – SWEET DREAMS

On May 4, 2014, the owners of a 2004 Pontiac contacted the LAPD Newton Division to report that their vehicle was stolen from their residence. LAPD Newton Division officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Pontiac.

A short while later, LAPD Air-10 flight officers picked up the silent signals from the LoJack® System installed on stolen Pontiac from the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) installed in their air ship. Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack® PTC, the flight officers tracked the vehicle to the area of 7th St and Alvarado Blvd. They requested ground units from Newton division to respond. A ground unit did respond after hearing Air-10’s broadcast and began checking the area around the Grey hound Station. The unit located the vehicle in the parking lot and noted it was occupied by one adult male. The officers approached the vehicle and extracted the occupant without further incident. During the field investigation, the suspect admitted he had in-fact stolen the vehicle as he had apparently noticed the ignition keys had been left in the ignition. He further related he needed some place to sleep and that was the reason he had stolen the vehicle. The owner was notified the  undamaged vehicle had been located.The vehicle was later stored for safe keeping.  The suspect was arrested and  booked VC 10851. The case was referred to Station Detectives.

#8 – HAIR OF THE DOG

On August 1, 2014, the owner of a Ford Econoline Van contacted the Chicago Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen from the 4400 block of South Archer Avenue in Chicago’s Brighton Park neighborhood. The victim reported to the police that he was a contractor and the van stolen was a work van with a trailer attached. Further related was that the back of the van equipped with a locked cage section had power tools while the trailer was loaded with wood and other miscellaneous items.

A short while later Patrol Officers and the Helicopter unit from the Chicago Police Department (CPD) picked up the silent LoJack® system homing signals from the stolen Ford with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and the helicopter. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the CPD Patrol Officer and Helicopter pilot tracked the vehicle to the 2700 block of west 38th place in the alley.

The Ford Econoline Van along with the stolen trailer was recovered in the alley near an open garage where three men had been observed minutes before the police arrived. The Ford had the ignition tumbler pulled from vehicles column in order to steal it. The trailer had been broken into but the cargo section of the Ford Econoline had not been forced open and all the power tools worth thousands of dollars were recovered. Also recovered was a case of Polish denatured grain alcohol that the victim had had in his truck minus three bottles. Police on scene surmised the reason the locks on the van hadn’t been forced was the thieves had discovered the case of alcohol, and had then been sidetracked from their primary goal.  Police acting on the description given to them by a concerned citizen on scene were able to identify one offender and the investigation into this incident continues. The Ford Econoline Van was recovered before it could be stripped, or further damaged. Furthermore, thanks to the LoJack stolen vehicle recovery system installed on the Ford Econoline Van all the power tools were recovered and returned to a grateful owner.

#9 – BREAKING LOJACK

On March 6, 2014, the owner of a 1999 Mercedes E-320 contacted the Riverside Sheriff’s Canyon Country area, to report that their vehicle was stolen. Riverside Sheriff’s verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Mercedes.

On March 6, 2014, a Riverside Sheriff’s Deputy (K-9 Unit) assigned to the Temecula Station, picked up the silent signals from the LoJack System installed on the stolen Mercedes on the LoJack® Police Tracking Computer (PTC) installed in their patrol vehicles. The deputy was driving southbound on the I-15 Freeway approaching Rancho California Road, in the City of Temecula, when he picked up the silent LoJack® system signal. Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack PTC, the deputy tracked and located the stolen Mercedes parked in a gas station in Old Town Temecula. Three suspects were at the vehicle, one male in the driver’s seat, a female passenger and a third male standing outside. A different license plate (also reported stolen) was on Mercedes. The suspects were detained and in doing so, the male standing outside threw something, as he was ordered to the ground.

This was recovered and tested positive for methamphetamine. Additional methamphetamine and plastic syringes, along with burglary tools and several vehicle keys for different makes and manufactures, were recovered. The driver stated he took the vehicle that morning, which was left open and keys in the ignition. He also took a license plate from a similar vehicle and put it on the Mercedes and all items seized belonged to him and that the others had nothing to do with the car. He was arrested for Auto Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, Controlled Substances and Burglary Tools. The undamaged vehicle was also released to the owner. The LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Mercedes on October 22, 1998 at Mercedes Benz of Anaheim, California and has an estimated recovery value of $5,300.00.

#10 – UNSOCIAL MEDIA

On May 12, 2014, an Acura TL was stolen by a person known to the owner.  He refused to return the car and was bragging about it on Facebook. The theft occurred in the 10800 block of Dixon Road South near Seattle. The crime was reported to the King County Sheriff’s Office who verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Acura.

A short time later, Renton PD officers received the silent signals from the LoJack® System installed on the stolen Acura on the LoJack® Police Tracking Computer (PTC) installed in the patrol vehicles. Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack® PTC, the officers tracked the vehicle to the 500 block of Stevens Avenue SW where it was stopped and three occupants were detained for questioning.  Charges are pending against the main suspect.  The approximate value of this car is $1,800.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Acura TL in December of 1995 at Acura of Glendale.  The current owner was not aware the car was equipped with the LoJack® system.

The post LoJack’s Top Ten Recovery Stories of 2014 appeared first on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog.


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