LoJack System Helps Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force Recover Stolen 2011 BMW 528i
- August 21, 2017
- recovery stories
The owner of a 2011 BMW 528i contacted the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department to report that her vehicle had been stolen. The victim stated she discovered the BMW missing in the morning from in front of her residence in the 2600 block of Watson Street in unincorporated Castro Valley. 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 BMW.
Four Suspects Arrested – Additional Vehicles and Three Trailers Recovered
A short time later, an investigator with the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force picked up the silent LoJack signal from the BMW 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 BMW to the area of the 4900 block of Tidewater Avenue in Oakland. The PTC indicated the stolen BMW was inside what appeared to be an abandoned business with a large enclosed yard and several buildings. A California Highway Patrol aircraft was requested, which also tracked the BMW and confirmed it was inside the yard along with several other vehicles. Surveillance was set up and a 2003 GMC pickup was observed leaving the business. Investigators followed GMC to a nearby gas station and made contact with the driver. This GMC was identified as stolen and had been “cold plated.” This suspect was taken into custody. A short time later, another subject left the location on a bicycle. This subject was contacted and was found to have an outstanding felony arrest warrant for stolen property. He was taken into custody and a vehicle ignition switch and numerous vehicle keys were found in his pockets. Investigators were able to identify a subject at the property who was on felony vehicle theft probation with a search clause. Entry was made into the property and the LoJack equipped BMW was located intact.
Three additional stolen vehicles, which had already been stripped of their major components, were identified. A 1993 Honda Civic, a 1994 Toyota Camry and a 2002 Cadillac Escalade which consisted of only the frame and cut up body were all recovered. Additionally three utility trailers with the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) removed were impounded. A fourth subject who had arrived prior to the investigators making entry was found to be in possession of numerous fictitious IDs and stolen checks and credit cards, and he was also arrested. In total, five stolen vehicles were recovered, three trailers were impounded which will likely be identified as stolen, and four suspects were arrested on felony charges. The BMW528i was stored to be returned to the owner.
The LoJack® System was installed in the 2011 BMW 528i in February 2015 at Toyota Place in Garden Grove, California.