LoJack® System Helps Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Toyota 4Runner

The owners of a Toyota 4Runner contacted the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department to report that their vehicle was stolen overnight from the driveway of their residence.  The Toyota was parked behind a gated entrance with the keys to the vehicle left inside.  A video on the property shows an unknown suspect stealing the Toyota at 4:00 AM.

The deputy 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.

A short while later the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Toyota was picked up by the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.  Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC the Toyota was tracked to a rural area near Val Vista Road and Cloud Road.

A Maricopa County SD deputy responded to the area with a PTC.  The Chandler Police Department was contacted with a request to assist and also responded with a couple vehicles equipped with PTCs.  The deputy and officers were able to locate the stolen Toyota, unoccupied in a fenced off remote area between a residential area and a high school.  The Toyota had been driven through the fence and concealed under some trees near a residence.   The Toyota was recovered with minor damage to the right front corner from hitting the fence and had one flat tire.  All the personal property had been removed from the stolen Toyota.  The Chandler PD forensic unit responded to the scene and processed the Toyota for evidence.   The Toyota was later released to the owner at the scene.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota 4Runner in August 2000 at Right Toyota in Scottsdale, Arizona.