Mercedes Benz Stolen in South Carolina, Recovered Days Later 30 Miles Away in North Carolina
- May 25, 2012
- recovery stories
In the early morning hours April 8, 2012, the owner of a 2002 Mercedes Benz returned to where the vehicle was parked – believing it to be safe – only to discover that it missing. The owner quickly reported the crime to the Marlboro County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) in Bennettsville, SC.
MSCO deputies completed a stolen vehicle report and had the Mercedes’ information entered into the state and federal crime computers. This routine police action automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the Mercedes. Neither the owner nor law enforcement agents had to take any further action to activate the LoJack Vehicle Recovery Network, as LoJack’s interface with the police is both seamless and instantaneous.
Two days later, North Carolina DMV License and Auto Theft Investigators, across state lines and approximately 30 miles away from the theft site, received the Mercedes’ silent LoJack homing signal on the LoJack Police Tracking Computer installed in their patrol units. The track signal was received as the investigators were on routine investigative duties near the Rockingham Hospital. Following the tracking computer’s directional and audible signal, officers were led to an apartment complex off County Road. The Mercedes was found, parked in a designated space for an apartment tenant. This tenant was approached and interviewed in reference to the stolen Mercedes. Information was gathered that a friend of a friend brought the Mercedes to the apartment. The name and whereabouts of this person was not known, but the tenant promised to provide this information by the next day. The vehicle was towed and stored for further investigation, and notice given to the South Carolina owner to take custody of the vehicle.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in this vehicle at a prior owner’s request in October 2004.