LoJack System Helps Santa Ana Police Department Recover Stolen Ford F350
- August 7, 2018
- Law Enforcement
The owners of a 2007 Ford F350 contacted the Orange County Sheriff’s Department to report their vehicle had been stolen. OCSD 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.
Only 24 minutes later officers from Santa Ana PD 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, the officers tracked the Ford to a residential neighborhood and found it parked along the curb. As the officers drove toward the vehicle they saw a male in the driver seat. The driver spotted the officers and tried to conceal himself by reclining the driver seat. The officers safely approached the Ford and were able to detain the driver. The officers saw the driver was in the process of removing the stereo but was interrupted by the officers. Next to where the driver was seated was a ring of shaved keys from different manufacturers. The officers recognized these keys as tools for car thieves to either break into vehicles or steal vehicles. The officers questioned the driver. The driver claimed a “friend” lent him the Ford, but he didn’t have contact information for the friend. The driver claimed he was removing the car stereo to sell and planned on using the money to purchase food. The suspect initially gave the officers a fictitious name but eventually told them his correct name. The officers learned the driver/suspect was on probation and had prior arrests for auto theft, receiving stolen property and possession of burglary tools.
The suspect was arrested and the Ford was recovered.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Ford F350 in March 2007 at Drew Ford, La Mesa CA.