LoJack System Helps Newark Police Department Recover Stolen 2002 Mercedes Benz S500V Stolen by Fraud and Arrest Suspect who was also in Possession of Counterfeit Currency
- April 9, 2019
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2002 Mercedes Benz S500V contacted the Newark Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen by means of fraud. The owner advised he had met an individual who was purchasing the vehicle. The individual paid him cash for the car, but the victim soon discovered the cash was counterfeit. The Newark Police Department verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the 2002 Mercedes Benz S500V.
A short time later, officers with the Newark Police Department were alerted to the stolen Mercedes Benz by means of the silent LoJack signal from the stolen vehicle 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 stolen Mercedes was tracked to an auto body repair shop in the 37000 block of Sycamore Street. The officers made contact at the business and confirmed the stolen Mercedes was located inside the shop. The business owner advised an individual claiming to be the owner had the vehicle towed there.
Follow up investigation by Newark Police Department lead to the identification of a possible suspect. This person was confirmed to be the suspect by photo lineups. A ruse was set up to have the suspect return to the shop to pick up the vehicle. When the suspect arrived, he was taken into custody by Newark PD. At the time of his arrest, the suspect was found to be in possession of $17,000 in counterfeit currency. A search of the suspect’s motel room resulted in the suspect’s girlfriend being arrested for possession of a controlled substance. The suspect is believed to be responsible for multiple cases of passing counterfeit currency at local businesses in the area. The US Secret Service was notified and will be initiating an investigation into the counterfeit currency.
The stolen Mercedes Benz S500V was recovered by the Newark Police Department and the vehicle was returned to the owner.
The LoJack® System was installed in the 2002 Mercedes Benz S500V in October 2002, at W. I. Simonson In. Mercedes Benz, in Santa Monica, CA.