LoJack® System Helps Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Recover Stolen Honda Fit
- November 30, 2015
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2009 Honda Fit contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen during the night from their single family home’s driveway. No evidence of the crime was seen at the location; it is believed a spare key was used possibly taken at an earlier date. The victims reported they had been a victim of a vehicle break-in during the night. The vehicle break in had not been reported to police because the victim’s purse had been located on the sidewalk a short distance from the home. At the time, nothing was thought to have been missing from the purse but it is now believed the Honda’s spare key had been taken.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda.
Within the hour of the theft report, officers from the CMPD picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda 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 aided by the CMPD aviation unit tracked the Honda to a residence off Marlowe Ave; approximately (14) miles south of the theft location. No one was around the Honda and a canvass of the area revealed no suspect or witness. The owner was contacted; approval was given to tow and process the Honda for latent evidence.
The owners were very happy with the quick recovery by the CMPD through the use of LoJack. No damage occurred doing the theft and no loss of personal items from within the Honda. Changes to the ignition code and locks were made in an effort to keep the suspect(s) from returning to steal the Honda with the spare key again.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Honda Fit in May 2009 at Honda Cars of Concord in North Carolina.