LoJack® System Helps San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Toyota Corolla
- June 25, 2015
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2006 Toyota Corolla contacted the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department Highland Station to report that their vehicle was stolen sometime during the night from their property. Deputies 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.
Within minutes after activation, deputies from the SBSD Highland 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 a parking lot in the area of Church St and Baseline St. where the vehicle was located behind a school. Deputies were contacted by a witness who provided description of three juveniles who parked and exited the Toyota. A description was given by the witness and broadcasted to assisting units.
A few minutes later, one of the assisting deputies indicated that he was making contact with a subject who matched the description in the 7200 block of Poppitt Drive. The witness was brought to the scene where two subjects were being detained. They were both identified by the witness. A follow up field investigation was initiated resulting in the arrest of three juveniles who admitted they and other individuals went “door checking” (a term meaning checking any unlocked vehicles during the early morning hours, then removing property from them). According to the handling deputy, the three juveniles admitted stealing the Toyota and burglarizing vehicles and homes. During the follow up investigation, a Pawn shop was identified where the subjects had sold gold and jewelry. These items were recovered. Also recovered from the homes of the juveniles were computers, lap tops, I Pads, I-Pods and other personal property. The juveniles were booked and petitions filed for vehicle theft and receiving stolen property. Investigation continues.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota Corolla in February 2006 by Claremont Toyota in Claremont, California.