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LoJack® System Helps Chicago Police Department Recover Stolen Mercedes GL450

  • January 26, 2016
  • recovery stories
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A LoJack customer was entering her Mercedes in the 156th block of South Turner Ave in Markham, Illinois, when an unknown offender placed a pistol to her head and stole her car. The victim contacted the Markham Police Department who verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Mercedes.

During the next couple of hours the stolen Mercedes was tracked by numerous police departments following the audible and directional cues with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in squad cars and aircraft. The Mercedes was pursued and lost by the Burr Ridge Police Department after it committed a retail theft in that municipality. A few minutes later the Chicago Police Department helicopter unit picked up and tracked the stolen Mercedes directing ground units as the stolen vehicle drove around Chicago’s south side and southwest suburbs. The helicopter unit was able to determine the Mercedes had stopped on the south side of Chicago along the Dan Ryan Expressway near 105th Street and directed ground units to flood the area. The stolen Mercedes was found in the alley of the 106 block of South Wabash Ave in Chicago’s Rosemoor neighborhood. The Mercedes was found along with two other stolen vehicles all with their motors running and their doors open. The helicopter reported persons running from the scene. Footprints in the snow led to one suspect who was detained for questioning. Police investigation into the carjacking, subsequent crimes and vehicle recoveries continues. Vehicles recovered and towed for investigation.

The 2007 Mercedes GL450 was recovered undamaged before it could be stripped, cloned, retagged, or used in further crimes. Also recovered with the stolen Mercedes GL450 was a 2013 Mercedes ML350 taken in Chicago and a 2016 Honda Accord taken in Calumet City.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Mercedes in April 2010 at Saturn of Green Brook in New Jersey.


Printed from the LoJack Recovery Story Library.

LoJack® unit activation is contingent upon the vehicle being located within LoJack’s coverage area that spans counties across 29 states throughout the U.S. and District of Columbia. You may find LoJack’s coverage areas at www.lojack.com/coverage or by calling 1-800-4-LoJack.

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