Multiple Florida Agencies Using LoJack Recover Stolen Chevrolet Blazer, Arrest Suspect for Theft, Drugs
- November 4, 2012
- recovery stories
On Sunday morning, September 9, 2012, the owner of a 2007 Chevrolet Blazer sport utility vehicle discovered their vehicle missing from their home and contacted the Hollywood Police Department to report it stolen.
Hollywood officers verified the theft and had the Chevrolet’s information entered into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.
Within minutes, a Miami-Dade Police Department pilot picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen sport utility vehicle on the LoJack Police Tracking computer (PTC) installed in their helicopter. Following the directional and audible cues on their PTC’s screen, the pilot tracked along Haulover Beach, into Hallandale Beach, and finally, into Hollywood. The pilot advised the Broward County Sheriff’s Office of his tracking, and BSO notified the law enforcement agencies in those cities. Soon, a Hollywood Police officer and a Florida Highway Patrol officer both picked up the signal as well.
Shortly thereafter, the Hollywood officer observed the vehicle on North 24th Avenue. When the backup units arrived, the officers performed a “felony stop” on the vehicle in the 2800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, apprehending the driver. The driver was ultimately arrested for Grand Theft Auto and possession of illegal drugs. As the suspect appeared to be intoxicated, possibly on some of the drugs that were found in the car, she was transported to the local hospital for treatment, under the supervision of the Hollywood Police Department. The vehicle was recovered, released to the owner at the scene, and removed from federal and state crime computer systems.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Chevrolet Blazer SUV on October 20, 2007 at Maroone Chevrolet of Pembroke Pines, Florida and has been protecting it ever since.