The LoJack System Helps the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit assist Investigators with the Richmond and Columbia County Sheriff’s Offices Recover Stolen Toyota Camry.
- April 30, 2019
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2007 Toyota Camry contacted the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Appling, Ga, and reported their vehicle stolen. The owner reported that her vehicle and fifteen-year-old granddaughter were missing from the residence. The vehicle owner believes that the juvenile took the Toyota sometime during the night. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Toyota.
After the Camry was entered into the national crime computer database, the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit, stationed in Augusta, Ga, was notified of the LoJack equipped stolen Camry. Within seconds of taking off, the pilot picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Toyota 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 pilot tracked the vehicle to a residential area in Augusta, Ga in Richmond County. The pilot spotted the Camry parked in front of a residence and directed ground units to the vehicle. Investigators from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the case agent from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office secured the vehicle and found it abandoned.
The Investigators began to canvass the neighborhood, but were unable to determine if the juvenile suspect was in the area. Through investigation, it was discovered that the juvenile was in a residence around the corner from where the vehicle was recovered, however she was not located until the next day in North Augusta, SC.
LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota in May 2006 at Toyota of Watertown, Watertown, MA.