LoJack Helps Denver Police Recover Stolen Acura Integra and Take Down a Chop Shop, One Arrested
- December 30, 2012
- recovery stories
On November 7, 2012, the owners of an Acura Integra contacted the Englewood Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen.
Englewood Police verified the theft and entered the Acura’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle. A short while later, officers with the Denver Police Department picked up the silent LoJack homing signals from the stolen Acura with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTCs) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. The LoJack PTC provides officers with on-board information which permits them to locate the stolen vehicle quickly and with an increased margin of safety.
Following the directional and audible cues from the LoJack PTCs, the officers quickly determined the location in central Denver from which the signals were emanating. Because the location was a closed garage and the year/make/model of the stolen vehicle was a commonly stolen one, the Metro Auto Theft Task Force investigators were called in to handle what was suspected to be a Chop Shop.
Once investigators made entry into the location, they confirmed that this was a major criminal enterprise, dealing in stolen motor vehicles. An informed source said, “We got to this one before they did any damage to (the Acura) but the owners of the other Acuras and Hondas weren’t so lucky – they will have to pick up their cars with wheel barrows. The LoJack hit led us to a garage where they have been chopping and VIN-switching for a while.”
One suspect was arrested. This case will be an on-going investigation for some time.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Acura Integra in March of 2003 at Kuni Honda in Centennial, Colorado. This is the third time this car has been stolen and quickly recovered by police due to a LoJack assist.