LoJack System Helps the Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention Recover Stolen 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe, along with Six other Stolen Vehicles and Numerous Car Parts One in Custody

  • May 17, 2019
  • Law Enforcement
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The Los Angeles County Taskforce for Regional Autotheft Prevention (TRAP) interviewed a suspect from another case and obtained information about a stolen 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe. The suspect told the TRAP investigators that the Tahoe was fraudulently obtained from CARMAX in Ontario by an associate of his. The suspect was paid to drop off the Tahoe to a residence in Bell CA. TRAP investigators contacted CARMAX finance and learned the Tahoe had been flagged by CARMAX but had not been reported stolen.  TRAP investigators entered the Tahoe information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Tahoe.

TRAP investigators, equipped with portable LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC), picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Tahoe in the city of Bell.  Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the investigators tracked the Tahoe to a residence and determined the stolen Tahoe was in the detached rear garage. The investigators conducted a door knock at the location and made contact with a resident.  The investigators explained to the resident why they were there and she allowed them onto the property. While walking through the property the investigators saw numerous dismantled car parts throughout the yard and other parts of the property.  The investigators located the stolen Tahoe in the rear garage, along with more car parts.  The investigators then obtained a search warrant to conduct a more thorough search of the location.

During the search of the residence the investigators located the following stolen property:

  • 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
  • six GMC engines/transmissions (four from a rental company)
  • a salvaged GMC pick-up
  • eight GMC tailgates, all from confirmed stolen GMC trucks (all were from a rental company)
  • Numerous car parts including; hoods, batteries, 39 unused spare tires, dashboards, steering columns and numerous license plates that were associated with stolen vehicles.
  • Three firearms, one with the serial number removed, armored piercing bullets, an illegal flash suppressor and ammo drum. All three firearms were loaded.

When the investigators arrived at the location the primary suspect was not at the residence.  The investigators were able to contact him by phone and convinced him to return to the residence where he was arrested.  Investigators estimated the total recovery value to be approximately $200,000.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Tahoe in April 2015 at Singh Chevrolet Suzuki Subaru, Riverside CA.