LoJack® System Helps Hemet Police Department Recover BMW 328 Stolen by Fraud
- November 20, 2014
During the month of October 2014, the California Highway Patrol was investigating the theft of numerous cars taken by fraudulent information. A dealer in Duarte, CA. was contacted where a suspect had used his true name however, used a false work address, and false Social Security number to purchase a 2007 BMW 328. The ISU Investigator verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the BMW.
Within less than 44 minutes from the activation, officers from Hemet Police Department picked up the silent LoJack® homing signals from the stolen BMW 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 officers tracked the vehicle to the 1200 block of Lavender Court, city of Hemet and located the vehicle inside a closed garage. Officers approached the garage and confirmed the vehicle was inside. At that time a male exited and entered the residence. Two male adults were contacted and asked if they knew the male who had just entered the residence. The name was given and confirmed the subject was the named suspect. Officers deployed on the location and convinced the suspect to surrender. The named suspect was taken into custody without further incident, booked on several felony charges and later turned over to the investigating officer from ISU. The undamaged BMW was stored and processed as evidence. Later it was released to the victim car dealer.
The recovered vehicle is valued at $13,575.