LoJack System Helps Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force Recover Stolen 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS
- March 30, 2017
- recovery stories
The owner of a 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS contacted the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department to report that his vehicle had been stolen. The victim stated he discovered the Camaro missing from in front of his residence in the 1300 block of 159th Avenue in unincorporated San Leandro. The victim advised he had last seen his Camaro two days prior to the reported theft. The Alameda County SD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Chevrolet Camaro.
A short time later, an investigator with the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force picked up the silent LoJack signal from the Camaro SS 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 investigator tracked the stolen Camaro to the area of the 9500 block of Empire Road in Oakland.
A hand-held LoJack tracker was deployed and it was determined the Camaro was located in a garage at a residence. The task force investigators attempted to make contact at the residence but no one was at home. A short time later, the female home owner arrived and gave a signed consent for a search of the residence. The home owner denied knowledge of any stolen vehicles. The search of the garage led to the recovery of the stolen Camaro SS. No suspects were present.
Also recovered in the garage were numerous components from several other Camaros. Evidence of seven additional stolen Camaros was identified. All of these Camaros were stolen from various cities throughout the San Francisco Bay-Area between January and March 2017 and had been recovered stripped and dumped in close proximity to the address. All of the tools and equipment located in the garage were taken as evidence to be processed for latent finger prints by to help identify the suspect(s).
The San Francisco Bay Area has recently seen a marked increase in the theft of these late model high performance Camaros which are typically being recovered stripped of their engines, transmissions, interiors tires/wheels, and suspension parts. It is believed the discovery of this active chop shop will have a significant impact in decreasing this trend.
The LoJack® System was installed in the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS in March 2011 at Courtesy Chevrolet in San Jose, California.