LoJack System Helps Los Angeles Police Department Recover Stolen Acura TL within Minutes of Activation, Suspect Arrested
- December 21, 2018
- Law Enforcement
The owners of a 2002 Acura TL contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen. Officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Acura TL.
Minutes later officers from LAPD North Hollywood Division on Burglary suppression picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Acura TL 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 vehicle to an alley in the rear of a Smoke shop in the 5000 block of Lankershim Blvd. The officers noted a female in the back seat appearing to be doing something and a male suspect standing outside of the car with an employee of the shop. A felony stop was initiated and all three were detained for the investigation.
The female related she had asked if she could use the back seat to change a diaper on her child. The male who had been standing near the vehicle, apparently told her to use the back seat. That person when questioned related he did not drive the vehicle but admitted he sat in the driver’s seat. A set of keys and a key fob were located and when asked about the keys, the suspect stated they were not his, but a small can attached to the keys was his. Inside the can was marijuana. When asked for identification, the suspect produced a wallet containing a driver’s license in another person’s name. Additional ID was also found on the suspect. When searching the trunk, a back pack was found containing numerous car keys and fobs. Officers learned that the ID found on the suspect had been taken from a vehicle burglary. This suspect was booked for the theft of the vehicle. The female was released and considered a witness. Case to Detectives for follow up.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Acura TL at Ron Thompkins Valencia Acura in February 2002.