LoJack System Helps Chicago Police Department Recover Stolen 2015 Melroe E35 Mini Excavator Along with 2018 Melroe T550 Skid Steer
- April 5, 2019
- Law Enforcement
The owners of a 2015 Melroe Skid Steer T550 contacted the Gary Police Department to report that their skid steer had been stolen from a rental location on the 1400 block of W. 25th Street. Gary Police arrived on scene verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Melroe.
A short while later a vehicle from Chicago’s Major Auto Theft Investigation (CMATI) team with a LoJack Police Tracking Computer picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Melroe 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 Melroe T550 was located in an abandoned lot on the 4200 block of W. Fillmore in Chicago’s North Lawndale Ave. CMATI learning that another Melroe had been taken from the same location in Gary IN at the same time as the discovered Melroe began a systematic search of the surrounding area. CMATI observed the other stolen Melroe on the 4700 block of W 5th street and also recovered that piece of equipment.
Both pieces of construction equipment had all identifying markers and serial numbers removed in an attempt to defeat identification of them. It was also observed that the Melroe though equipped with GPS trackers had them disabled in order to defeat locating them. Both were returned to owner on scene of recovery. CMATI investigation into this recovery continues.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Melroe T550 in May 2015 at a commercial location.