LoJack System Helps Simi Valley Police Department and VENCATS Recover Stolen Ford Escape
- August 31, 2017
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2017 Ford Escape contacted the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department to report that their vehicle was stolen. Apparently the keys to the Ford were left inside the vehicle when the suspect stole the Ford Escape from the victim’s driveway. Deputies from the Lost Hills Station verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Ford.
A short while later officers from the Simi Valley Police Department had picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Ford with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, they tracked and located the Ford parked and unoccupied.
Detectives from the VENCAT (Ventura Auto Theft Task Force) responded and set up electronic surveillance on the Ford. A short while later, officers were advised by the VENCAT Detectives that the Ford was on the move in the area of Sycamore Dr and Alamo St headed towards the 118 Freeway. Officers caught up to the Ford and attempted to stop it when the suspect initiated a high speed vehicle pursuit. The pursuit was shortly terminated due to safety hazards. Minutes later the Ford was tracked to the area of Indian Hills Dr near Alamo where a male adult was seen leaving the area of the termination of the pursuit on a bicycle. Officers responded and located the individual taking him into custody for the theft of the Ford as well as other felony violations. The suspect was later booked. The undamaged Ford Escape was later stored for safe keeping and released to the victim.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Ford Escape in April 2017 at Galpin Ford in North Hills, California.