LoJack® System Helps Colorado State Patrol Recover Stolen Ford Bronco
- January 4, 2016
- recovery stories
The owners of a white Ford Bronco contacted the Westminster Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen from their apartment house parking lot sometime during the previous evening. They were unaware that a previous owner had purchased LoJack for the Ford eighteen years ago in California. The LoJack is dormant unless activated by a stolen vehicle entry by a police agency.
An officer verified the theft and had the vehicle information entered into the state and federal crime computers. This routine action automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Bronco.
A short time later a Colorado State Patrol Trooper assigned to the Greeley 3A Troop picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Ford 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 trooper tracked the Ford to the driveway of a residence on Shortline Drive in Fort Lupton. Prior to the arrival of backup support, the suspect entered the Ford and began driving away. A short pursuit ensued but was discontinued for public safety considerations.
The suspect’s progress was monitored as he drove south and eventually abandoned the Ford at a large apartment complex near 10200 block of Ura Lane in Thornton.
Evidence has been collected and this case remains under investigation by the Investigative Services Section of the Colorado State Patrol.