LoJack® System in Mercedes assists Washington State Patrol with Recovery after Pursuit
- November 30, 2018
- Law Enforcement
The owner of a 2003 Mercedes E500 was at his place of employment in Kent, Washington. While taking a break, the vehicle was left running and the owner momentarily went back inside the business. During this time, unknown suspect(s) stole the Mercedes and fled the area. The theft was verified by Kent Police Department and the Mercedes was entered as stolen into the state and federal crime computers. This automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the vehicle.
A Trooper with the Washington State Patrol received a LoJack hit on his Police Tracking Computer (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Utilizing the audible and visual signals of the LoJack® PTCs, the Trooper navigated towards the stolen Mercedes. The vehicle was in motion, but the Trooper was able to locate the vehicle and attempted to stop it. The suspect driving the stolen Mercedes elected not to stop and a pursuit ensued. The suspect intentionally drove in a manner that made it too dangerous for the Trooper to continue to pursue. Knowing the vehicle was LoJack equipped, the decision was made to terminate the pursuit in the interest of public safety. Assistance was requested from Washington State Patrol’s Cessna Aircraft (Smokey 5) which is equipped with a LoJack® PTC. The pilot responded to the area and began to track the silent signal being emitted from the stolen Mercedes. The pilot navigated using his visual and audible signals and located an isolated silver vehicle parked on a dead end street in south King County. He directed ground units to the area and they confirmed the vehicle was indeed the stolen Mercedes. A K-9 track was conducted, but the suspect was not located at the time. Evidence was recovered from the scene and investigators are certain this evidence will lead to the identity of the suspect. The owner was notified and happily retrieved his vehicle after it was processed for evidence.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Mercedes Benz E500 in January of 2003 by Fletcher Jones Motor Cars in Fremont California.