LoJack® System Helps Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Recover Stolen Dodge Durango
- March 6, 2017
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2006 Dodge Durango contacted the Tucson Police Department to report that his vehicle was stolen sometime overnight from a parking lot. A key may have been left in the vehicle by mistake. The owner was in the process of moving and had all his personal belongings in the Durango.
The
Tucson Police Department verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime
computers which automatically activated the LoJack®
System concealed in the Dodge.
Seven minutes later, officers from the Tucson Police Department and detectives
from the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force picked up the silent LoJack signal
from the stolen Dodge 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 vehicle to the area of
Grant Road and Dodge Boulevard.
The
Tucson Police Department helicopter, also equipped with a PTC, was in the area
and located the stolen Dodge in a parking lot of a nearby apartment
complex. The auto theft detectives set up surveillance on the stolen
Dodge Durango. A few minutes later the suspect was observed getting
out of the stolen Dodge and walking towards front of the apartment
complex. The suspect was observed getting into the passenger side of a
Kia that was waiting for him. The task force detectives blocked the
vehicle and took the suspect into custody without incident. The suspect
had an ignition key to the Dodge in his possession, along with personal checks
belonging to the victim. The suspect also was in possession of
heroin. During interviews, the suspect admitted to finding the spare key
on the floor of the vehicle and stealing the Dodge. He was arrested and
booked on several felony charges to include vehicle theft. The Dodge was
recovered in good condition, along with all the stolen personal property that
was inside the vehicle when it was stolen. The vehicle and property were
returned to the owner at the scene.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Dodge Durango in November 2006 at
Autoland, Springfield, New Jersey.