LoJack Helps LAPD Recover Stolen Toyota Fork Lift, Uncover Chop Shop, Arrest Suspect
- December 28, 2012
- recovery stories
November 29, 2012, the owner of a 2012 Toyota Fork Lift contacted the Los Angeles Police Department’s West Valley Division to report that his equipment was stolen from a job site.
LAPD verified the theft and entered the equipment’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the Toyota Fork Lift.
Minutes later, patrol officers from the LAPD West Valley Division picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen Toyota Fork Lift on the Police Tracking Computer installed in their patrol units. Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack computer, the officers tracked the equipment to the area of Wilber Avenue and Ingomar Street. Detectives from the LAPD’s Commercial Crimes Division (BAD CATS), who were tracking the stolen equipment on their portable PTC tracking unit, responded to the location. The detectives observed the stolen Fork Lift in the backyard of a private residence. The detectives obtained consent to enter the yard and recover the stolen Fork Lift. The detectives determined that the suspect was concealing additional stolen property, including a 2008 Heli Fork Lift and two flatbed trailers. The suspect was taken into custody for Operating a Chop Shop without incident. Detectives have classified this as Chop Shop # 448 for LoJack Southern California Operations.
The equipment, valued at $60,000, was recovered and impounded as evidence.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in this Fork Lift on April 3, 2012 at Prolift Industrial-Hertz-Indianapolis, IN.