CHP Arrest Suspect, Recover Stolen Ford Focus, After Vehicle Pursuit and Foot Chase
- July 3, 2012
- recovery stories
On June 24, 2012, the owner of a 2003 Ford Focus contacted West Covina Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen. West Covina officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the Ford Focus.
Minutes later, a California Highway Patrol officer from the Baldwin Park area was on patrol in the area of Vineland, north of Rath Street, when his on board LoJack system picked up the silent LoJack signal. After obtaining the full description of the vehicle, the officer alerted other units in the area. Then, following the directional and audible cues on the LoJack computer, the officer located the stolen Ford in the parking lot of a local restaurant. As he neared the vehicle, he observed a suspect sitting in the driver’s seat. The officer attempted to block the vehicle; however, the suspect sped away. A six-minute pursuit ensued, which terminated in the city of West Covina. After a brief foot chase, the officer took the suspect into custody without further incident. The suspect was later booked for Robbery, Grand Theft vehicle and various felony charges.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Ford Focus in July of 2004 at Enterprise of Huntington Beach, California.