LAPD Air & Ground Units Use LoJack to Recover Stolen Toyota Corolla & Prius, Arrest Suspect After Chase
- December 28, 2012
- recovery stories
On November 28, 2012, the owners of a 2007 Toyota Corolla contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to report that the vehicle had been stolen.
LAPD verified the theft and entered the Toyota’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.
Minutes later, patrol officers with the LAPD-North Hollywood division picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen Toyota on the Police Tracking Computer installed in their patrol vehicles. LAPD’s “Air 16” responded to the tracking, and located the vehicle in the area of Woodman Avenue and Sherman Way. Patrol officers observed the vehicle traveling north on Cleon Avenue, with the license plate covered with a paper plate. The officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the vehicle, but when the driver failed to comply, a vehicle pursuit ensued.
The stolen vehicle was involved in a collision in the area of Riverton Avenue and Victory Boulevard. The suspect fled on foot into the backyard of a private residence. Officers established a perimeter around the area and requested a Canine Unit respond to the area. Canine Roscoe and his handler located the suspect, hiding in a bedroom closet of the residence. The suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Further investigation revealed that the suspect had stolen a 2012 Toyota Prius, which contained a purse holding the keys to both stolen vehicles. The stolen 2012 Toyota Prius was also recovered. The total value of the two recoveries is $45,750.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in this vehicle on December 4, 2006 at North Hollywood Toyota.