LoJack® System Helps Ohio State Highway Patrol Recover Stolen Mercedes Benz C280
- August 11, 2016
- recovery stories
The owner of a 2007 Mercedes Benz C280 contacted the Cleveland Police Department to report that his vehicle was stolen. The victim owns a used car lot in Cleveland. Several suspects dressed in dark clothing and wearing masks were recorded on video breaking into the business. While inside, the suspects took several sets of car keys and then stole six vehicles that were parked on the lot.
The Cleveland PD 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.
Minutes later troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Mercedes 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 troopers tracked the Mercedes to a residential area of Cleveland. It appeared that the suspects left it there to “cool off.”
The stolen Mercedes was impounded for processing. Forensic evidence was obtained and suspect info is currently being compiled. Investigators from several agencies in the Cleveland Metro area are working together due to over 100 vehicles stolen from 12 car dealerships in late July with the same method of operation. This is the second LoJack equipped vehicle that was stolen under the same circumstances subsequently tracked and recovered. This matter is still under investigation.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Mercedes Benz C280 in May 2007 at Mercedes Benz of Bedford in Ohio.