LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Police Department Recover Stolen Dodge Challenger
- January 5, 2016
- recovery stories
A local dealership installed LoJack tracking devices in their vehicles as part of a pre-install program. The program enhances sales and also provides an added measure of asset security while vehicles are on the dealership lot.
The dealership owners of a 2015 Dodge Challenger contacted the Downey Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen by fraudulent means. Officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Dodge Challenger.
Within minutes from activation of the LoJack signal, flight officers from the Los Angeles Police Department Air Support Air-18 picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Dodge Challenger 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 flight officers tracked the Dodge to the area of Grandville south of Sunset Blvd in West Los Angeles and directed a ground unit from the West Los Angeles Division to the area. The Dodge was located parked and unoccupied by the ground unit. Surveillance was set up and within one half hour, the officers observed a male walk up to the Dodge, enter and remove items. The officers deployed on the suspect taking him into custody without further incident. When questioned about the Dodge, the suspect told the officers he purchased the vehicle legitimately, however failed to inform them he had used false information to get it according to the dealership. This suspect was transported to the West Los Angeles Division where contact was made with Downey PD detectives who responded and assumed the investigation. The suspect was taken back to Downey where he was processed for further investigation. The undamaged Dodge was stored and later released to the dealership.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Dodge Challenger in August 2015 at Champion Dodge in Downey, California.