Los Angeles, California Sheriff’s Department Recovers Stolen Toyota Tundra in One Hour, 13 Minutes, with Help from the LoJack® System
- February 26, 2014
- recovery stories
VIN switching is a method some vehicle thieves use to avoid getting caught. The VIN (vehicle identification number) is a combination of letters and numbers unique to the single car, truck, van or motorcycle it is assigned to. Some clever crooks will remove the VIN from a vehicle they stole and sometimes replace it with a false one. This tactic could thwart a visual search, but not the LoJack® system. Because the LoJack device is hidden inside the vehicle, any visual changes to the machine do not affect the homing signal sent out to law enforcement. In this case, a Toyota Tundra is stolen in Palmdale, CA, and, even though the VIN number was changed, it took local police, assisted by LoJack, just 73 minutes after activation to recover it.
On February 13th, 2014, the Toyota’s owners discovered their truck was stolen overnight and contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department in Palmdale to report the crime. Deputies verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers. This procedure automatically activated the LoJack unit concealed in the Tundra, which was installed at Sierra Toyota in Lancaster, CA.
A short while later, LASD ground units and flight deputies picked up the homing signals from the stolen truck with the LoJack tracking computers installed in their patrol vehicles and aircraft. The flight crew located the Toyota parked at a private residence. The ground deputies arrived at the scene and questioned a male suspect who was taken into custody. The Tundra, which had its VIN removed, was retrieved and soon returned to its thankful owner.
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