LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Police Department Recover Stolen Toyota Corolla

The owners of a 2000 Toyota Corolla contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department East LA Station to report that their vehicle was stolen. 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 Toyota.

Minutes later, the LAPD Air 18 flight officers picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Toyota with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.  Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, they tracked the Toyota to a self-serve station at Gage and 3^rd St watching it pull into the location.  A second airship, LAPD Air-3 responded and relieved Air-18 continuing to follow the Toyota as it drove out of the self-serve station.  Air-3 followed the Toyota to Soto and 1^St where the driver and passenger exited the vehicle and entered the Metro Station.  Officers on foot observed the suspects enter the train tunnel and radioed to the next station advising deputies to hold both exits.  The officers responded and observed the two suspects walking towards their location.  Both suspects were taken into custody without further incident.  When questioned one of the suspects admitted he had seen a male working on the Toyota and apparently had left the engine running.  When this person left the Toyota, the suspect and his passenger jumped in and drove off. The suspects were later booked for vehicle theft. The undamaged Toyota was later returned to the victim.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota Corolla in August 2000 at Keyes Toyota in Van Nuys, California.