LoJack® System Helps San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Toyota Avalon “Chop Shop” Busted
- May 20, 2015
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2014 Toyota Avalon contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to report that their vehicle was stolen. 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 Toyota.
A while later deputies from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Victor Valley station picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Toyota 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 deputies tracked the Toyota to the 15500 block of 5th St City of Victorville. The deputies observed the Toyota in advanced stages of being stripped and detained four subjects. Detectives from SANCATT were notified and responded. A search warrant was authored and the residence was searched resulting in numerous parts of the Toyota being recovered. The main suspect was identified and arrested. This suspect cooperated with SANCATT resulting in the full recovery of all of the missing parts including the engine and transmission. Parts were located at an auto salvage yard. The detective from SANCATT filed felony charges on the primary suspect of operating a chop shop and additionally filed on the salvage yard owner for receiving stolen property.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota Avalon in April 2014 at West Covina Toyota.