LoJack® System Helps Washington State Patrol and Port Angeles P.D. Recover Stolen Chevrolet Pickup
- August 6, 2014
- recovery stories
The owner of this Chevrolet pickup discovered the vehicle was stolen during the night from his residence in Port Angeles. He called the Port Angeles Police Department to report the theft. The information was verified by Port Angeles PD and they entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Chevrolet.
Later that morning, a Washington State Patrol Cessna flying over Port Angeles picked up the silent LoJack® homing signals from the stolen pickup with the LoJack® Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.
Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the Washington State Patrol aviation troopers were able to locate the approximate area the signal was coming from, but could not see the vehicle from the air. A trooper on the ground equipped with a PTC responded and was able to identify a specific residence on West 10th Street where the signal was strong and pointed to a detached garage. Residents at the house denied entry to the building so officers applied for a search warrant.
During that process, the vehicle was moved under cover of darkness and later located by the Elwha Tribal Police. Investigation is continuing and an arrest is anticipated. The current owner was not aware the truck was equipped with LoJack®.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet pickup in October of 2006.