LoJack® System Helps Tempe Police Department Recover Stolen Lexus LX470
- October 7, 2015
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2005 Lexus LX470 contacted the Tempe Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen during a residential burglary. Guns, jewelry and other items were also stolen during the burglary.
The Tempe PD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Lexus.
A short while later the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Lexus was acquired by a LoJack Police Tracking Computer (PTC). PTCs are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the audible cues from the PTC, the Lexus was tracked to an apartment complex near Val Vista Road and Baseline Road in Gilbert.
The stolen Lexus was found unoccupied and backed into a parking spot at the apartment complex. The Gilbert Police Department patrol officers conducted the initial investigation and contacted Tempe PD. Officers from the Tempe PD respond to the scene to process the Lexus for evidence. During the on-scene investigation, it was learned that a suspect associated to the stolen Lexus may be driving a Cadillac Escalade. A short time later officers observed a Cadillac Escalade pull into the apartment complex. The suspect saw the police officers and backed into a parked car in his attempt to flee in the Cadillac. The suspect almost hit a Tempe PD police officer with the Cadillac and evaded capture. The Cadillac Escalade was found unoccupied in an apartment complex parking lot a short distance away. The 2009 Cadillac Escalade was reported stolen to Gilbert PD the night before and was also taken during a residential burglary. Follow up investigation by the Tempe PD and Gilbert PD officers identified a suspect. The suspect was located later that evening and arrested on several felony charges to include aggravated assault, theft of both vehicles and burglary. Several of the guns and jewelry from the Tempe burglary were recovered by the police. Both police agencies are working together and conducting further investigation. The Lexus was recovered in good condition and impounded for safekeeping.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Lexus LX470 in November 2004 by Lexus Santa Monica in California.