LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles County Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) Recover Stolen Melroe Bobcat
- January 28, 2016
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2006 Melroe Bobcat contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to report that their Bobcat Construction equipment was stolen from a job site in Hacienda Heights, California, by unknown suspects. Deputies verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Bobcat.
Within 10 minutes from activation, the Los Angeles SD’s Air-7 flight deputies picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Bobcat 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 deputies tracked the Bobcat from the city of Commerce to a storage facility in Santa Fe Springs, CA. This Bobcat was observed inside an open storage unit as well as several suspects. They further observed one of the suspects push an air compressor into the storage locker and close the door. The deputies further observed a Chevrolet pickup truck with a trailer and observed two individuals enter a black Cadillac Escalade and leave the location. Air-7 requested assistance from the Santa Fe Springs Police Department to respond to the facility and the California Highway Patrol as they followed the Cadillac onto the 605 Freeway/east bound 60 Freeway. Air 7 maintained observation until several CHP units caught up to the black Cadillac and affected a felony traffic stop. Once the suspects were detained, Air-7 requested that TRAP detectives respond to take over the investigation. The TRAP detectives responded to both scenes and apparently during a search of the storage located a stolen Concrete Pumping trailer.
Detectives examined the Cadillac Escalade and determined that it was a stolen 2006 Cadillac Escalade that had been “Vin Switched” using the “Vin” from a 2003 Cadillac Escalade registered in one of the suspect’s name. This Cadillac had been stolen from Norwalk, CA. Detectives examined the Chevrolet Silverado at the storage site as well as the trailer attached to it and determined they also were outstanding stolen vehicles stolen from the city of La Habra, CA. All vehicles were recovered and later returned to their owners. Detectives have filed numerous felony charges including Operating a Chop Shop, Grand Theft and Receiving Stolen Property.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Melroe Bobcat in June 2006 by Bobcat of Las Vegas in Nevada.