LoJack System Helps Colorado State Patrol Recover a Stolen 2018 Ford T-350 Transit Van and Make Two Arrests
- November 16, 2018
- Law Enforcement
The managers of a rental company in Billings, Montana contacted the Billings Police Department to report that one of their rental vans out on a two-day local rental had not been returned after an extended time. Also, their efforts to contact the renters to get them to come back with the van or pay for an extended rental had proven unsuccessful. A police officer verified the theft and had the vehicle information entered into the state and federal crime computers. This routine action automatically activates the LoJack® System concealed in the Ford.
Three days after the theft report and over 500 miles away a Trooper with the Colorado State Patrol on routine patrol near Loveland, Colorado picked up the silent LoJack homing signals from the stolen Transit Van with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTCs) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. The Trooper following the directional and audible cues from his PTC quickly and easily tracked the stolen van to a motel parking lot on Peralta Drive, near I-25 and Crossroads.
The follow up investigation by Troopers, including members of the BATTLE-North Auto Theft Task Force, soon disclosed the identity and location of the two adult suspects. Both were the persons who had rented the van. They were arrested and jailed pending the filing of felony charges. One of the suspects was found to be wanted on a Montana arrest warrant. The T-350 Transit Van was recovered undamaged but was cluttered and there was evidence of illegal drug possession and use.
The owners of this 2018 Ford T-350 had the LoJack® System installed to protect their vehicle six months earlier.