LoJack® System Helps La Palma Police Department Recover Stolen Ford Escape
- February 24, 2016
- recovery stories
The owners of a 2005 Ford Escape contacted the Murrieta Police Department to report their vehicle was stolen. The Murrieta 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 Ford.
A short while later officers from the La Palma Police Department picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Ford 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 tracked the Ford to the 91 freeway and Orangethorpe Avenue. The officers located the stolen Ford traveling westbound on the 91 freeway. The officer that located the Ford followed it until assisting officers could arrive. While waiting for the assisting officers to catch up, the locating officer noticed that a Chrysler was following him (the patrol officer) at a close distance. As the officer changed lanes several times to follow the stolen Ford he saw that the Chrysler mirrored his lane changes. The primary officer initially believed the Chrysler was involved with the Ford and requested additional officers to safely conduct two felony stops. Both vehicles were safely stopped with the Ford having a lone female occupant. She was arrested for the theft of the Ford and upon questioning admitted to taking the vehicle because she needed transportation to Los Angles to visit friends and use methamphetamine.
It was determined the two occupants of the Chrysler were not associated with the stolen Ford or its driver. The driver of the Chrysler followed the patrol vehicle because he thought it was driving erratic and only had its amber lights on. The driver of the Chrysler was arrested for delaying/obstructing a peace officer.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Ford Escape in November 2004 at Lake Elsinore Ford in California.