LoJack® System Helps Citrus Heights Police Department Recover Stolen John Deere Skid Steer
- August 18, 2015
- recovery stories
A rental company discovered a 2012 John Deere mini excavator stolen and contacted the California Highway Patrol to report that their machine was stolen. The machine was stolen from a job site in North Sacramento sometime during the night.
The CHP verified the theft and entered the machine information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the John Deere.
Less than 10 minutes later, officers from the Citrus Heights Police Department picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Deere 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 officers tracked the machine to a residence near Sonoma and Madison Streets. The officers observed the skid steer in the front yard and when the suspect observed the officers he ran inside the residence and barricaded himself. The officers called for backup and the area was secured.
The CHP auto theft detail arrived and took over the investigation and a search warrant was obtained. Upon service of the search warrant it was discovered the house was “Booby Trapped” to harm officers that entered. The suspect was eventually discovered by a K-9 under the house where he had eluded offers via a hidden trap door.
The investigation at the scene resulted in the recovery of not only the stolen John Deere but also three other stolen items: 2005 Komatsu mini excavator stolen from Roseville, 2000 Carson Flat Bed trailer stolen from Rocklin and a 2011 Flat Bed trailer which has been VIN switched and registered as special construction.
There were two suspects arrested at the scene for receiving stolen property and booked into Sacramento County jail. Officers recovered numerous PIN/VIN plates from other equipment and are in the process of identifying and locating those machines.
The LoJack® System was installed in the 2012 John Deere in February 2012 via Commercial Sales.