LoJack® System Helps East Metro Auto Theft Task Force Recover Stolen 2010 John Deere Excavator Model 35D
- June 18, 2015
- recovery stories
The managers of a construction project reported to the Arvada Police Department that one of their major pieces of construction equipment had been stolen from a construction site. A police officer verified the theft and had the vehicle information entered into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the John Deere.
Later in a cooperative effort among investigators with the Arvada PD, BATTLE, EMATT and MATT auto theft task forces, the silent LoJack signal from the stolen excavator was picked up by detectives 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 investigators tracked the signal to a specific residence near 80th and Jasmine in unincorporated Adams County. The excavator was concealed from the street view at the rear of the residence. However it was observed in plain view from adjoining property during a neighborhood canvass conducted by investigators.
An EMATT investigator and deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office spoke with an adult resident of the residence who gave the officers consent to enter the back of the residence and inspect the John Deere excavator. This resident shrugged her shoulders and told officers that she didn’t know how the excavator got there, it just happened somehow.
The excavator was recovered undamaged and was returned to the very happy construction company.
A probable suspect has been identified and the investigation is continuing.
The LoJack® System was installed in the John Deere excavator in October 2011 at the request of the construction company in order to protect their equipment in case it should be stolen.