LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Police Department Recover Stolen Chevrolet Silverado
- January 25, 2016
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado contacted the Los Angeles Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen by unknown suspects. Officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Chevrolet.
Hours later, officers from the LAPD Southeast Division picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Chevrolet with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, they tracked the Chevrolet to an alley garage in the 10000 block of San Pedro St. The LoJack signal indicated that the stolen vehicle was inside the garage giving a full strength signal as the patrol car passed by the garage. The patrol officers notified station auto theft detectives who responded in an unmarked vehicle and set up surveillance on the location. Detectives were advised that the location had been identified as a “Chop Shop” on a prior occasion where two suspects had been arrested.
Approximately 40 minutes later, the detectives noticed a 1990 Chevrolet pickup driving by the location containing a floor jack and an engine hoist. The detectives watched as these two suspects backed onto the property and unloaded the equipment. The suspects closed the gate and parked in the alley approximately 30 feet from the unmarked detective police vehicle. A male on a bicycle rode up and made contact with one of the suspects who handed him money. The suspect walked to the back gate and entered the yard, closing the gate behind him. That suspect left the residence and was detained by patrol officers. Two other suspects were seen coming out of the residence and when asked to stop and open the gate, they refused and kept walking away. These suspects were detained. Detectives searched for other suspects clearing the location and discovered the stolen Chevrolet inside the garage that had been stripped.
The suspects were questioned about the incident and discovery of the stolen Chevrolet and admitted they were paid to remove parts from the Chevrolet and admitted they had brought the tools to pull the engine. Both suspects were booked for receiving stolen property. The investigation continues on the third person.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Silverado in June 2006 at Power Chevrolet in Valencia, California.