Multiple CA Air & Ground Units Use LoJack to Recover Acura TL Stolen in Monrovia, Suspect Arrested
- March 27, 2013
- recovery stories
On February 14, 2013, the owners of a 2007 Acura TL contacted the Monrovia Police Department to report their vehicle had been stolen from their driveway during the previous night.
Monrovia Police verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.
Minutes later, a deputy from the LASD’s San Dimas Station picked up the silent signal and broadcasted to other units that he was tracking this stolen Acura. LASD Air-7 overheard the broadcast and launched their aircraft from Lakewood, California. As Air-7 came within 7 miles of the Claremont area, they, too, picked up the LoJack signal. At the same time, Claremont Police Department units utilizing their LoJack system began tracking the same vehicle.
A radio broadcast from Claremont Police Department dispatch indicated that an off-duty detective had seen two suspects acting suspiciously, and instructed his wife to call into the PD relaying the information while he attempted to follow the suspects. All units responded to the area, and the vehicle was soon located abandoned under a tree in the 2100 block of Kemper in the city of Claremont.
Officers began a search of the area and received information that a suspect matching the description of the driver was seen entering a large market. A deputy went to the market and viewed an in-store video, which showed the suspect taking off his jacket exiting the store. This suspect was apprehended by Claremont units and identified by the deputy. It was also learned that a license plate reader had picked up the stolen car and had obtained a photo of the driver as it rolled thru an intersection in Claremont. The suspect was later booked by the LASD deputies on several felony charges. The recovered Acura, valued at approximately $22,000, was held for prints and processing, to be later released to its owner.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Acura TL at Pacific VW on January 3, 2009.