LoJack® System Helps Delta RATT Auto Theft Task Force Recover a Stolen Toyota Corolla
- July 19, 2016
- recovery stories
A dealership sold a 2016 Toyota Corolla to an individual and after the sale discovered the information provided by the customer and the down payment supplied for the purchase were fictitious. The dealership eventually contacted the Alameda County Auto Theft Task Force (ACRATT) to report that their Toyota was stolen.
The ACRATT verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Toyota. It was also determined this suspect may also be involved with three other fraudulent purchases from other car dealers in Northern California.
A short while later, officers from the Delta RATT Auto Theft Task Force in San Joaquin County, who had been alerted that the suspect may live in their county, picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Toyota 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 Toyota to the area of Kettleman and Sacramento Streets in the City of Lodi. This is an industrial area with many warehouses. The officers finally tracked the signal to an open warehouse and observed the Toyota parked. A male suspect was at the location and claimed ownership of the Toyota. He was identified and questioned. He stated he bought the Toyota from a private party. Officers took his statement and released him. Information was forwarded to ACRATT for follow up on the original theft.
The Toyota was towed and stored to be released to the dealer later.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Toyota Corolla in February 2016 at Livermore Toyota in California.