LoJack® System Helps Albuquerque Police Department Recover a Stolen Chevrolet Malibu
- October 8, 2018
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2016 Chevrolet Malibu contacted the New Mexico State Police to report the vehicle was stolen. The owner advised they lost their keys while at a local casino and discovered their Malibu was missing from the parking lot. The New Mexico State Police 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 Malibu.
Shortly after the activation, the Albuquerque Police Department flight officers in Air1 picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Malibu with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in their patrol vehicles and aircraft. This information was relayed to the New Mexico Auto Theft Task Force (comprising of Auto Theft personnel from Albuquerque PD and New Mexico State Police).
The Malibu was determined to be mobile and the ATTF tracked it on the ground. The Malibu was tracked to an apartment complex parking lot at which time surveillance was established. A male subject, later identified as a repeat auto theft offender, was observed entering and exiting the Malibu. The ATTF members approached the offender and he decided to run away on foot. The offender was not successful in his attempt in getting away but was swiftly captured.
The owner of the Malibu responded to the scene and immediately hugged as many ATTF members she could stating how thankful she was to get her vehicle back. The owner further advised she knew they had LoJack on the Malibu and that purchase has paid for itself. The owner was reunited with their Malibu and the offender was reunited with a holding cell.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Malibu in February 2016 at Galles Chevrolet in Albuquerque, New Mexico.