LoJack System Helps Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Recover Stolen Honda Civic
- August 3, 2017
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2000 Honda Civic contacted the Phoenix Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen from the parking lot of their apartment complex sometime during the past three hours.
The Phoenix 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 Honda.
A short while later, troopers from the Arizona Highway Patrol picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda 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 Honda to a neighborhood in the area of US 60 and Thunderbird Road in El Mirage, approximately 15 miles from where it was reported stolen from.
The Honda was tracked to a residence and believed to be parked in the rear carport area. A perimeter of the area was established by the Highway Patrol troopers and the El Mirage Police Department officers, while the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force detectives responded to the scene. Contact was made at the residence and five people were detained without incident. The task force detectives obtained and executed a search warrant on the property. The stolen Honda Civic was located on blocks in the rear carport area. The expensive wheels had been removed but still on the property. Detectives also located and recovered a stolen 1999 Honda Civic on the property that was recently reported stolen to the Phoenix PD. The suspects had removed some parts off the 1999 Honda. During interviews, the suspects did admit to stealing both Hondas and were going to dismantle them for parts. Four suspects were arrested and booked for the two vehicle thefts and operating a chop shop.
Both stolen Honda Civics were recovered in fair condition and impounded for safekeeping.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Honda Civic in December 1999 at Canyon Honda in Anaheim, California.