LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Chevrolet Camaro
- March 8, 2016
A male adult came to a dealership asking to test drive a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS. When the sales person asked for a valid driver’s license, the male indicated all he had was an ID and a suspended driver’s license. The sales person demonstrated some features on the Camaro but told the male he could not drive the car on the demo. When the sales person went to check on something, the suspect drove off in the Camaro. Authorities were contacted and the Chevrolet Camaro was reported stolen. Deputies verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Chevrolet Camaro.
Within less than 25 minutes agencies in Los Angeles Bernardino County picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Camaro with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Additionally a radio broadcast from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department informed all county units of the theft and gave the name of the suspect with description. Deputies from the Industry station heard the broadcast and did some research learning of a possible address of the suspect. This information was broadcasted to the LASD’s units including Air-8 flight deputies. Within minutes, Air-8 flight deputies responded to the area and began picking up the directional and audible cues from the PTC. Air-8 tracked the silent signal to the area of the 60 Freeway and the 605 Freeway advising ground units of a possible Camaro matching the description that was transitioning onto the N/B 605 Freeway. The industry deputies were able to spot the Camaro and identified it as the stolen. A felony traffic stop was initiated on the 605 Freeway at Valley Blvd and the suspect was taken into custody without further incident. This suspect was positively identified as the person who stole the Camaro. He was arrested and later booked for driving a motor vehicle without permission. The undamaged Chevrolet Camaro was released to the dealership employees.
The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Camaro SS in February 2016, 8 days prior to the theft at Penske Chevrolet. Note this installation was part of a Pre Install program of LoJack® Systems.