LoJack® System Helps Fontana Police Department Recover Stolen 2004 Honda Civic and 2015 Nissan Altima Suspect arrested
- February 10, 2015
- recovery stories
The owner of this 2004 Honda Civic contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department and reported that vehicle had been stolen. Apparently the suspect had seen an add in Craigslist that showed the Honda for sale. The suspect made contact with the Honda owner and asked for a test ride. At that time, the suspect drove off with the Honda. The officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda.
Several hours later, the Fontana Police Department Air Ship Eagle-1 picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in the air craft and patrol vehicles. Air Eagle-1 tracked it to the area of 13800 block of Jurupa Ave. and notified an auto theft detective who then responded to the area with his PTC and pinpointed the location. The LoJack signal led the detective down a driveway to a multi-business complex where he observed several subjects standing near the Honda. Another male individual walked up and was detained. The field investigation led to the arrest of this male individual who not only matched the description of the suspect, but had personal property in the stolen Honda. Further examination of vehicles parked in this area resulted in the recovery of a 2015 Nissan Altima that had been stolen two days earlier from a Nissan dealer in Ontario, California. This same male suspect used the same manner of theft, another test ride. The suspect was advised of his rights and admitted taking both vehicles and to stripping them for not only electric batteries from the Hybrid but the interior parts of the Nissan. The suspect indicated this was how he supported his drug problem. The Nissan was not equipped with LoJack. Had it been, it would have been recovered the same day it was stolen and before it was stripped. Assisted by other officers, the suspect was taken to the Fontana PD and booked for operating a “Chop Shop”, Grand Theft Auto, Possession of stolen property and possession of Methamphetamine. The Honda was released to the victim at the scene and the Nissan Altima was stored for safe keeping.
The LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System was installed in this Honda Civic in April 2004 at Diamond Bar Honda.