LoJack® System Helps Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Recover Stolen Cadillac Escalade
- March 1, 2016
- recovery stories
The owner of a 2004 Cadillac Escalade contacted the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to report their vehicle was stolen as a result of an armed robbery/carjacking. The Escalade’s owner and another victim were about to drive from their apartment complex parking lot when four male suspects in a Nissan drove up to the Escalade, pointed a black handgun, then demanded the victims to get out of the car and give them the keys. The owner and the other victim complied with all demands and were told to walk away. As the owner walked backwards from the Escalade one of the suspects fired the handgun in the direction of the owner, striking the owner’s hand warmer section of his sweater and his undershirt. Luckily the bullet did not strike his body. Two of the suspects got into the Escalade, two remained in the Nissan and both vehicles were driven away.
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 Cadillac. At the time of entry, CMPD was automatically given information the stolen Cadillac was equipped with LoJack. A “be on the lookout (BOLO)” was given out concerning the armed robbery and being equipped with LoJack.
A short while later, CMPD officers picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Cadillac with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that is installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the officers tracked the Cadillac to an apartment complex parking lot off Carter Creek Drive. Attempts were made to get officers in position to conduct a surveillance of the empty Cadillac; however prior to the other officers arriving, a male suspect entered the Cadillac and drove onto US 74. CMPD officers initiated their emergency equipment in an attempt to get the suspect to stop. The suspect/vehicle continued for a period of time trying to elude officers, drove off the roadway and attempted to run from the Cadillac but officers were able to take him into custody. The suspect was charged and arrested for the listed felony offenses: assault by pointing a gun, assault with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, larceny of a motor vehicle and several motor vehicle violations.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Cadillac Escalade in October 2005 at Ed Morse Cadillac in Delray Beach, Florida.