LoJack® System Helps Belen Police Department and New Mexico Auto Theft Task Force Recover a Stolen Jeep Renegade
- June 19, 2019
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2018 Jeep Renegade contacted the Belen Police Department to report their vehicle was stolen. The owner advised they were warming up the Jeep during the time it was stolen. The Belen PD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Jeep Renegade.
Shortly after the activation, law enforcement personnel with the New Mexico Auto Theft Task Force (Auto Theft units from New Mexico State Police and Albuquerque Police Department), Belen PD and Valencia County Sheriff’s Office picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Jeep with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in their patrol vehicles and undercover vehicles. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the law enforcement personnel tracked the LoJack signal to the area of Sanchez Road and the Rio Grande.
This unique LoJack track lead the law enforcement personnel off road and through the bosque along the river. The outstanding interagency teamwork and communication were rewarded with finding the Jeep on a dirt road in standing water. The Jeep was not occupied when located but was promptly recovered. The Jeep will be reunited with the owner before it can be damaged or used to commit additional crimes by the offender. The LoJack® System was installed in the Jeep Renegade in November 2018 at Mark’s Casa Chrysler Jeep in Albuquerque, New Mexico.