Modesto Dealership Burglarized, LoJack Aids Police in Recovery of 2 Vehicles, Arrest of Suspects
- June 27, 2013
On Friday, July 13, 2012, the owner of a car dealership in Modesto, California, arrived for work and discovered that his dealership had been burglarized during the previous night. The suspects stole three used cars and various items, including credit cards, from inside the office. Modesto Police responded and completed the theft reports. During their investigation, the officers determined that one of the vehicles – a 2006 Scion XB – was equipped with LoJack. The Scion’s information was entered into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle.
Later that evening, a CHP officer on patrol began to receive the silent signal emitting from the Scion and tracked the signal using his onboard LoJack Police Tracking Computer. Following the directional and audible signal on the LoJack Computer, the officer located the vehicle on Corte Madera Ave in Modesto. It was parked on the street and had “cold plates” on it. The officer contacted members of the STANCATTS ATTF who responded and set up surveillance on the vehicle. Officers also checked the immediate neighborhood and located another vehicle – a 2008 Volkswagen – stolen from the dealership. The Volkswagen had also been cold plated.
After a short period of time, two suspects entered the Scion and drove away. Officers followed the suspects in the cities of Salida and Ripon, where they appeared to be prowling for other vehicles to steal. As the suspects re-entered the stolen Scion, the officers conducted a felony stop and took both suspects into custody without incident. The male driver had been released from jail just days prior and was on probation. As he was on searchable probation, officers responded and searched his residence, where they recovered the property stolen from the dealership.
The driver was arrested for auto theft, receiving stolen property, and possession of methamphetamine. The female passenger was arrested for auto theft and receiving stolen property.
The LoJack Vehicle Recovery System was installed in the Scion XB at elk Grove Toyota in July of 2006. The 2006 Scion is valued at $14,000 and the 2008 Volkswagen at $13,000.