LoJack® System Helps Sacramento Police Department Air-1 Recover Stolen Wood Chipper
- May 12, 2016
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2005 Vermeer Wood Chipper contacted the California Highway Patrol Auburn Area to report that their machine was stolen. The victim stated he had the equipment parked on a piece of vacant land and when he returned he discovered unknown persons had stolen it.
The CHP verified the theft and entered the equipment information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Vermeer wood chipper.
A short while later officers from the Sacramento Police Department Air-1 picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Vermeer 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 officers tracked the equipment to the area of 2100 Marconi Ave in Sacramento. The airship advised ground units of the location and both Sacramento PD and Sacramento Sheriff’s Department units responded. Deputies observed the wood chipper being towed by a 2001 Ford F250 pickup. The deputies conducted a felony stop and took the driver into custody without incident.
Deputies determined the Ford pickup was also stolen.
The suspect was arrested for auto theft and grand theft and booked into the Sacramento County jail.
Both the Ford pickup and the Vermeer wood chipper were impounded for safe keeping to be released to the victims later.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Vermeer Wood Chipper in February 2007 by Commercial Sales.