Monthly Update Report for February 2010
Southern California:
From: LoJack Corporation – Southern California Operations
During the month of February there were: 333 countable
“activations.”
Number of activations for this calendar year to date
Southern California (2010) = 716
HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY 2010: LoJack of LOS ANGELES COUNTY: LOJACK SAFETY NET FOR TRACKING PEOPLE AT RISK FOR WANDERING NOW AVAILABLE IN METRO LOS ANGELES AREA. TRAINING AND TRACKING EQUIPMENT PROVIDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AT NO COST. CONTACT JOE DE ANDE, 909 263 0060 or jdeande@lojack.com On 2-3-2010, officers from the LAPD Hollenbeck Division were on patrol in the area of Huntington Dr and Topaz Ave. when they picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2007 Suzuki GSXR 750. After obtaining the description, they continued tracking and located the Suzuki behind the garage of a residential property located in the 4500 block of Dudley Dr, Hollenbeck area of Los Angeles. The officers contacted the resident of that location and learned that around 0445 hrs that morning she heard the sound of a motor cycle drive up She walked out of her back door and observed the suspect who she knows parking the MC. The suspect was identified however, was not at the location at that time. The victim/owner of the Suzuki responded to that location and took possession of the MC. No damage was noted at that time. Case referred to station detectives for follow up. On 2-3-2010, deputies from LASD East Los Angeles Station picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2007 Melroe Bob Cat several hours after being reported stolen by Irwindale PD. After obtaining the description, the deputies tracked the signal with the assistance of an air ship to a business located in the 4000 block of Caesar Chavez Ave., in the East Los Angeles area. Deputies walked to the rear of the location and observed the Bob Cat in the rear yard where construction supplies were being sold. They confirmed the serial number as stolen then observed a cement mixer and a Multi Quip trailer containing a light tower that when checked were also stolen. The owner of the location indicated that a friend of his brought the equipment to his location for storage. The investigation led the deputies to the suspect who brought the equipment. That suspect was requested to respond to the location. A short time later, the subject arrived. This subject indicated that he had met another subject who indicated he had equipment for sale and wanted to get rid of the equipment. This was the reason the equipment was brought to the location for inspection. The suspect was identified but was not contacted as his current location is unknown. The stolen property was later released to the owners. Case referred to Station detectives for follow up. On 02/04/10, Los Angeles County TRAP (Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention) West Team Detectives picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen 2008 Toyota Tundra on their portable Police Tracking Computer, within 22 minutes of the vehicle being reported stolen. The vehicle was tracked and located, unoccupied, in the 1400 block of Paso Robles, San Dimas. The Detectives formulated a plan to silence the LoJack signal and deploy a LoJack in Transit device on the vehicle. Within minutes of the detectives leaving the location, remote monitoring from the LoJack in Transit device revealed that the vehicle had left the location. A rolling surveillance of the vehicle ensued on the three (3) suspects inside of the vehicle. The suspects were taken into custody, with the assistance of deputies from LASD Walnut Station, in the area of the 500 block of Rancheria Rd, Diamond Bar while they were transferring stolen property into another stolen vehicle (2007 Chevrolet Tahoe, Pomona PD stolen). The suspects were transported to Walnut station where they were booked on auto theft charges. While being interviewed, all three (3) suspects confessed to their part in the thefts and burglarizing other vehicles in the area. This investigation is being On 2-7-2010, Azusa PD officers on patrol picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2006 Ford F650 reported less than an hour earlier. After they received the information as to the description, they began searching assisted by other PD officers and El Monte Air-45. The signal was tracked to the 17000 block of East Woodcroft, county portion of Azusa. As the officers arrived into the area, they observed a similar vehicle leaving a residential location containing three males. Officers stopped that vehicle and detained the subjects. El Monte Air-45 flight offices then located the vehicle that was parked in the rear yard of the residence. The vehicle was confirmed as the stolen and appeared to be partially stripped. Officers located a large welder that had been attached to the rear bed of the victim's truck. Upon questioning the suspects, a 19 year old indicated that he knew the truck was stolen as he was told by his Father, a Parolee, one of the passengers in the truck. Officers eventually learned that there were two other subjects still at the location who helped with the removal of the welder. All five suspects were arrested and booked. The vehicle and welder was processed and later returned to the owner. The case was referred to the DDA for felony filing. On 2-7-10, Los Angeles Port Police Officers picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 2002 GMC Yukon. They tracked the signal to an area in the harbor where there are several scrap metal dealers and vehicle dismantlers with high solid metal fences and buildings. They requested Detectives and an Air unit to assist. Air-24 observed the stolen vehicle in the rear of a business located in the 800 block of Flint Ave. The vehicle was partially stripped and there were no suspects in the area. The Detectives had complaints that the business was dealing in stolen vehicle parts. The Officers and Detectives set up a surveillance of the location while they completed a search warrant. They obtained the warrant and waited for the business to open. In the morning, two suspects entered the business and proceeded to finish stripping the stolen GMC. The officers and detectives quickly deployed taking the suspects into custody. Their investigation uncovered a major chop shop, recovering the LoJack stolen vehicle along with stolen engines, transmissions and other vehicle parts belonging to at least ten other stolen vehicles, none of which have ever been recovered. The suspects admitted to operating the chop shop and stripping numerous stolen vehicles. The investigation is ongoing with several other search warrants to be served. The two suspects were arrested for 10801 VC (Operating a Chop Shop). On 2-10-2010; the Detectives served another Search Warrant just around the corner from the first location, 700 block of Anaheim St. Where they recovered six more chopped up stolen vehicles. The suspects have been placing orders to local gang members and theft groups, for stolen vehicles. So far they have recovered stolen vehicles from three other states. The suspects are removing what they want from the vehicles, shredding/cutting up what is left and selling the metal for scrap metal. There is still more investigation work ahead trying to identify other parts. On 02/08/10, LAPD Foothill patrol officers picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen 1999 Audi AA6, on their on board LoJack police tracking computer. The officers were in the area of Osborne Street and Glenoaks Blvd. The officers requested an air ship to respond to their location. “Air-11” responded and advised the ground unit that they were picking up the signal in the area of the 210 Freeway and Foothill Blvd. The officers tracked and located the vehicle at the intersection of Kagel Canyon and Hela Ave. When back up units arrived, the officers conducted a felony traffic stop and took two suspects into custody for 10851 (a) VC (DWOC) without incident. The officers recovered stolen property taken out of another Foothill stolen vehicle that has not yet been recovered. The suspects used a spare key that the owner had left in the glove compartment. This investigation is being conducted by the Auto Theft detectives from Foothill Division. On 2-11-2010, within a few hours of the LoJack signal being sent out from Texas, LAPD Air-18 picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 2010 Toyota Camry. Air-18 vectored in 77th Street ground units to the area of the signal. The units quickly located the stolen vehicle parked at a motel in the 4500 block of Slauson Ave. They observed the vehicle to be unoccupied and then set up a surveillance of the vehicle. Within a short time, they observed one male and one female suspect enter the vehicle and drive away. When requested back-up units arrived, they conducted a high risk traffic stop, taking both suspects into custody. Their investigation found the driver suspect to be a known gang member; the female passenger was on parole. The officers obtained a consent search for the motel room and recovered a loaded 9 mm hand gun, almost 13 grams. of cocaine and $410 in currency. The male driver was arrested for 12021 PC (EX-Con with a Gun) and a variety of other charges. The passenger was questioned and released. 77th Street Robbery Detectives are conducting the investigation along with Houston PD Detectives. Of the fifteen vehicles entered into the SVS/NCIC system, three were LoJack equipped and all three were recovered within a few hours of their activation. On 02/15/10, LAPD Foothill patrol officers picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the stolen 2008 Honda Accord, on their on board LoJack police tracking computer. The officers were in the area of El Dorado Ave. and Goleta Street. The officers requested an air ship to respond to their location. “Air-16” responded and advised the ground unit that they observed the vehicle in the rear yard of a residence. The officers conducted an investigation at the location and made contact with the suspect. Officers recovered the vehicle and uncovered a cultivation operation at the location. Officers recovered approximately 30 lbs. of marijuana from the suspect's garage. The suspect was taken into custody for 11358 H&S (Cultivating Marijuana) without incident. This investigation is being conducted by the Auto Theft detectives from Foothill Division. On 2-15-10, El Monte Pd Air-45 flight officers picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2006 Nissan Armada within 4 minutes of the original entry by LASD Temple deputies. They located the vehicle driving S/B on Center St. from Palm and requested Baldwin Park Pd officers to respond to that area. Air-45 observed the vehicle and noted another vehicle following. Air-45 observed the stolen vehicle stop and noted that the driver exited and entered the second vehicle and drove off. They then noticed that the second vehicle stopped and observed the male driver who had been in the stolen exit and run off. Baldwin Park units arrived and were directed to the suspect who was found hiding next to a white pickup truck in an alley. That suspect was taken into custody without further incident. Assisting units also stopped the chase vehicle and detained several occupants. The officers learned that the occupants had been directed to follow the suspect in the Armada and when the suspect saw the helicopter, he stopped and entered the chase vehicle leaving two bags of items which later were identified as belonging to the victim. The male suspect was arrested and charged with VC 10851 DWOC. The occupants of the chase vehicle were released pending further investigation by detectives. On 2-17-10, the owner/victim reported his 06 Yamaha YXF-R600 stolen to LASD Walnut Station deputies. Apparently he had lost the key months ago and the thieves came back later, observed the MC and stole it. Within 16 minutes of entry into the Stolen System/NCIC, LASD Air-8 flight deputies were on patrol when they picked up the silent LoJack signal and began tracking it into the East Los Angeles area. Alerting ground units, the signal was tracked to the 3500 block of Lanfranco where ground units pinpointed the signal from a residential location. At that time, a Ford F 150 truck was observed pulling out of the driveway. Deputies stopped that vehicle and escorted the suspect back to the location. The deputies learned that there was a motor cycle in the rear yard that was covered up with a tarp. Deputies positively identified the MC as the stolen MC. Consent to search was obtained and the deputies obtained further evidence tying the suspect to the crime. The suspect told the deputies that someone had brought the MC to his house the night prior and had a key for the MC. That key was found inside the residence. Deputies arrested the suspect and later booked him for receiving stolen property. His Ford truck was also taken as evidence as it was clear that it had been used in the commission of the crime to transport the MC. Detectives from the LA County Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention assisted with the investigation as well as a detective from the auto detail East LA Station. The recovered Yamaha was held for prints. Case referred to detectives for filing. On 2-19-10, within ten minutes of the LoJack system activating, law enforcement agencies picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 2005 Nissan Sentra. Deputies from LASD Century Station were able to track the signal to an industrial area in the 900 block of E. 108th Street. The deputies observed the LoJack stolen vehicle and several other stolen vehicles at the location. TRAP Detectives were requested to the location. Their investigation uncovered one of the largest chop shops ever discovered. There were sixteen stolen vehicles still intact and parts to at least fifteen other stolen vehicles. Two of the vehicles had already been VIN switched. There were parts to a stolen big rig truck and an intact stolen forklift. There were two suspects at the scene who admitted to operating a chop shop and they were arrested for 10801 VC (Operating a Chop Shop). Detectives from the TRAP South team are conducting the investigation with a lot more follow up to follow. Follow-Up
On 2-22-10, officers from El Monte Police Department were on patrol when they picked up the silent LoJack signal of a 2009 Honda Pilot reported hours earlier by San Gabriel PD. After obtaining the description, they tracked and located the vehicle parked in a driveway of a private residence located in the 3900 block of Pennmar, city of El Monte. While at the location, the officers discovered that there were also 4 other recent stolens parked in the driveway. They were a 97 Honda Civic, 98 Honda Civic, 92 Honda Accord and an 01 Toyota Avalon. Detectives from the Los Angeles County Taskforce for Regional Auto Theft Prevention TRAP San Gabriel team responded and determined that this was a Juvenile Joy Ride theft ring, #378 for LoJack system. Suspects are being contacted by the TRAP detectives and arrests are pending. All vehicles were towed and processed for prints pending release to the owners. On 2-22-2010, El Monte Pd Air-44 flight officers were patrolling the west end of their area when they picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2004 Chevrolet Corvette that had been activated 5 minutes earlier by West Covina PD. They broadcasted the information to ground units from El Monte PD who responded to the area. One of the ground units spotted the vehicle driving through the Mall area and when he tried to stop the vehicle, the driver fled initiating a high speed pursuit. Air 44 followed calling out the streets and after a few minutes of a risky pursuit, ground units called off the chase while Air-44 followed. The suspect drove through a construction site at a high rate of speed, and then headed toward Lower Azusa and Arden Way, where the suspect slowed and bailed on foot. Air 44 coordinated the direction and when the pursuing units arrived, the suspect had been located by assisting units and was being taken into custody without further resistance. The driver was found to have several Chevrolet GM keys in his possession, one of which matched the Corvette. He was later booked on several felony charges and the Corvette was later released to the owner. On 2-27-2010, officers from the Inglewood PD were on patrol when they picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2006 Lexus RX400H 14 minutes after activation into the stolen system by the LAPD officers. After obtaining the description, the officers continued tracking and located the vehicle parked and unoccupied at Inglewood Ave. and Nectarine. An assisting officer was approaching the area when the recovering officer noticed two male Juveniles exiting a location acting suspicious. As this second officer approached, one of the Juveniles threw a key on the ground. At this time the officers made contact and detained the subjects. They located the key on the ground and noted it was a Lexus Valet key which had been left inside the vehicle by the owner. That subject was detained and later booked for vehicle theft by the officers. The vehicle was later released to the victim with only slight damage to the door lock. On 2-27-10, deputies from the LASD Lennox Station were on patrol S/B on western Ave. approaching 108th St. when their LoJack equipped vehicle picked up the silent LoJack signal from a stolen 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The deputies followed the signal and noted it was getting stronger as they approached a residence in the area of 108th and Hobart Ave. They entered an alley off Hobart Ave. and as the signal peaked, they observed a male suspect exit an open garage at which time the deputies observed the stolen Tahoe appearing to be partially stripped. The male suspect quickly shut the garage door on the deputies. The deputies contacted the suspect and gave him his rights. The suspect told the deputies he had allegedly purchased the vehicle off Craig's list for $500, however, was unable to provide any title or bill of sale. Based on statements and evidence at the garage, the suspect was arrested and later booked vehicle theft. On 2-28-10, LAPD Air 8 flight officers picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 1997 Acura Integra eight minutes after activation as stolen by Huntington Park PD. They tracked it to the area of Century Blvd. East of the 110 Freeway alerting ground units of the track. Ground units from LAPD S/E Division responded and began a grid search, pinpointing the signal to a possible location. At that time, Air-8 left the area and was relieved by Air 3 flight officers who further assisted ground units. Within a short time, officers were able to pinpoint the signal coming from a residence and while checking a neighboring yard, observed the stolen Acura in the rear yard of the residence located in the 300 block of Century Blvd. Additional ground units from S/E Division responded and deployed on the location. Officers were able to contact a female resident and gained permission to check the property. When a search of the residence was completed for officer safety, the rear yard was check, at which time not only was the Acura recovered, but another stolen 1997 Honda Civic was also recovered. Two engines suspected as being stolen were seized as well as over a dozen tires and wheels including auto parts. Suspect information was developed and forwarded to Commercial Crimes detectives. Detectives have indicated that this investigation has led to locating of this suspected Chop Shop that had been reported in that area. This investigation is Chop shop #379 for LoJack systems. LoJack of ORANGE COUNTY: On 2-15-2010, deputies from the Orange County Sheriffs Stanton station were on patrol when they picked up the silent LoJack signal of an LAPD Hollenbeck Division stolen 1997 Nissan King Cab within 4 minutes of entry into the stolen system/NCIC by the LAPD. After obtaining the description of the stolen Nissan truck, deputies began tracking the signal from Dale and Katella. The deputies noted the signal increasing then observed the stolen vehicle crossing their path. They followed the Nissan, verified the stolen information and when sufficient units arrived, including a Canine deputy, a felony traffic stop was initiated and the suspect taken into custody without further incident. Deputies questioned the suspect as to how he had obtained the stolen vehicle since he apparently lived in Los Angeles a short distance from where it was stolen from. The suspect told the deputies that he had purchased the vehicle for $100.00 from a subject and knew it was stolen, but needed a ride. Deputies later booked the suspect PC 496 Receiving stolen property and forwarded the cast to the OCDA for review. The vehicle was stored for safe keeping and was undamaged. LoJack of SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: On 01-31-2010, the victim discovered her 2005 Honda Odyssey missing and checked with her estranged husband to see if he had taken the vehicle. He stated that he had not and she reported the vehicle stolen to the Riverside Sheriff's Norco Station. A couple of hours later, a CHP Flight Officer flying Airplane-83, picked up the silent LoJack homing signal in the area of the 210 Freeway and Day Creek Road, in the City of Rancho Cucamonga. A CHP Rancho Cucamonga ground unit in the area also picked up the signal as well as San Bernardino Sheriff's units. The signal was tracked and “isolated” to a residence in the 5700 block of Chandler Drive. Surprise, surprise, it was the estranged husband's residence! Now that really didn't shock anyone did it? Attempts were made by all the agencies to make contact with the husband, but he would not answer his phone. Finally, with the threat of obtaining a “search warrant” for the location and his arrest for obstruction and interfering with an official investigation and Grand Theft Auto, the husband arrived and the vehicle was removed from the garage. This was deemed as a “civil matter” and the undamaged vehicle was released to the wife, who had rightful possession to the vehicle. On 02-01-2010, a LoJack equipped 1999 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was reported stolen to the San Bernardino Police Department and within three minutes of being activated, officers from that department began tracking the silent homing signal. The signal was first acquired by an officer southbound on the 215 Freeway approaching the 210 Cross Town Freeway. After initiating a broadcast that he was tracking the signal he followed the directional cues, which led him to the 25600 block of Baseline Avenue. This is where the officer located the stolen vehicle parked, unoccupied, in an apartment parking stall. With the engine still warm to the touch and with the assistance of a K-9 Unit, they began searching the area for the suspect or suspects. While doing this, a field sergeant arrived and observed a male adult standing next to the stolen car. Upon seeing the police unit this suspect immediately ran inside the adjacent apartment. The occupants were ordered out and detained. The suspect whom the sergeant observed was also a “named suspect” on the original police report. This report indicated that the victim had only known the suspect for a short time. The suspect had left the victim's house taking the car keys, which the victim later discovered missing along with the car. The suspect was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property. The undamaged vehicle was released back to the victim in the field. On 02-04-2010, the victims returned to the casino parking lot where they had parked their 2001 Ford F-150 truck, only to find it missing. They filed a stolen vehicle report and the casino security officers pulled the surveillance video from the parking lot, which showed a female adult stealing the truck. Just three minutes after being activated, San Bernardino Sheriff's assigned to Central Station picked up the silent LoJack homing signal emitting from the stolen truck at 3rd Street and Tippecanoe Avenue. The signal, which was very strong, was tracked to the 7000 block of Tippecanoe Avenue where the truck was located parked, unoccupied, in a driveway of a residence. Approximately five minutes later deputies observed a female adult emerge from the back yard area, who matched the general description of the suspect in the theft. While talking on her cell phone, she approached and opened the truck door and was immediately taken into custody. She was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of Stolen Property, and the undamaged truck was returned to some very happy victims. On 02-20-2010, San Bernardino Sheriff's Flight Deputies flying Helicopter 40-KING picked up the silent LoJack homing signal, within three minutes of being activated, from a stolen 1994 Honda Accord, reported to Santa Monica PD, in Los Angeles County. The flight deputies tracked and “isolated” the signal to the rear yard of a residence located at 13th Street and Pico, in the City of San Bernardino. Responding San Bernardino PD units observed several possible suspects in the front yard of the residence who were detained for investigation. A witness who lives at the location stated that her sister had been brought back home in the stolen car, but didn't know it was stolen. She also pointed out four other male juveniles who were with her and identified the driver. This driver suspect was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and the undamaged vehicle was towed and stored, after being processed for evidence. LoJack of RIVERSIDE COUNTY: On 02-01-2010, within eight minutes of being activated, Riverside PD Flight Officers flying Helicopter PD-1 picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from a 1999 Honda Civic, which had just been reported stolen to Riverside Sheriff's Moreno Valley Station. They tracked and located the stolen vehicle in Fairmont Park, in the vicinity of the 60 Freeway and Market Street, in their city. But, before the ground units could arrive, a suspect entered the vehicle driving off northbound. PD-1 continued following the vehicle into the extreme south end of the City of Fontana, where it continued onto Sierra Avenue. Fontana PD units who had been monitoring the radio broadcasts responded toward the area, and they too acquired the LoJack signal. PD-1 advised that the suspect had pulled into a shopping center at Slover and Sierra and was driving in circles in the lot. The responding Fontana PD ground units observed the stolen vehicle, which was occupied by one male adult suspect, exit the parking lot and turn south on Sierra. The officers conducted a felony vehicle stop taking the suspect into custody without incident. He was an “active in file gang member” on Parole for Auto Theft and stated that he was trying to “loose the bird”. He also admitted to stealing the car. The suspect was arrested for Parole Violation, Auto Theft, Possession of Stolen Property, with an additional Gang Enhancement, under the California State S.T.E.P. Act, which carries up to an additional three years on the sentence if convicted. The undamaged vehicle was later returned to the victim. 02-02-2010, within three minutes of being activated, Ontario PD officers flying Helicopter Air-30 picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, which had just been reported stolen to the City of Brea PD. Air-30 acquired the signal in the area of the 60 Freeway at Grove Avenue, quickly locating the stolen vehicle and followed it into the City of Chino. Assisting Chino PD Officers, attempted a felony vehicle stop, however the male suspect fled on foot and a foot pursuit ensued. Ontario and Chino PD established a perimeter in the area of Phillips and Yorba. The Flight Officers again located the suspect and directed the ground units to his hiding place. He was taken into custody without further incident and arrested for Auto Theft, Possession of Stolen Property and Resisting/Evading Arrest. The undamaged vehicle was then towed and stored. On 02-06-2010, a brief nineteen minutes after being activated, California State Park PD Officers assigned to the Lake Perris State Recreation Area were leaving a firearms training day when they picked up the LoJack homing signal from a 2002 Chevrolet Trail Blazer, which had been reported stolen to the San Bernardino PD. The officers began tracking the LoJack homing signal from the Lake Perris Recreational Area, into the unincorporated Riverside County area of Moreno Valley. Several units were involved in the tracking, which led them to a convenience store parking lot on Perris Boulevard. As they pulled into the parking lot they observed the stolen vehicle driver side door open. They conducted a high risk felony deployment on the vehicle and two suspects, one female driver and a male passenger, were taken into custody without incident. The female was arrested and charged with Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and the male was questioned and later released. The undamaged vehicle was then towed and stored. This is the first LoJack stolen vehicle tracking and arrest since being equipped with the LoJack Tracking System in the summer of 2009. On 02-07-2010, within five minutes of being activated, Ontario PD Flight Officers flying Helicopter Air-10 picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from a 2001 Volkswagen GTI, which had just been reported stolen to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Air-10 quickly tracked and located the stolen vehicle parked, unoccupied, in a residential area off of Concord and Merion. Ground units were directed into the area and after conducting a thorough door to door investigation, they developed leads which led to the arrest of the suspect in the theft, who was located in a residence nearby. The suspect was arrested for Auto Theft and Possession of a Stolen Vehicle. The undamaged vehicle was processed for evidence and towed and stored. On 02-26-2010, Ontario PD Officers in the vicinity of Nevada Street and Laurel Avenue picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from a stolen 2002 Ford Excursion, which had been reported to Riverside Sheriff's Jurupa Station, a mere thirty minutes earlier. The signal was tracked to the back yard of a residence in the 200 block of West Nevada Street and had been partially stripped. Officers made contact with the owner of the residence, who was very cooperative, and also very upset about a reported stolen car being left there by a friend. He gave officers the name and address of the friend, who had been removing aftermarket parts from the vehicle. A follow-up investigation was conducted to the suspect's address, where officers contacted several subjects in the residence and conducted a “protective sweep” of the home. Numerous automotive parts, believed to have been removed from the stolen car, were observed in plain sight. A search warrant was obtained and served and the vehicle parts found were ultimately confirmed as those from the stolen vehicle. Two suspects were arrested and identified a father and daughter. The daughter was the registered owner of the vehicle, who had also reported it stolen. The investigation disclosed that they had developed a scheme, which would have financially relieved her of the car. The plan consisted of reporting the vehicle theft to police, completely stripping it, defrauding the insurance company for a “Total Loss’ pay out. Both suspects were arrested for Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud and the owner also charged for making a False Stolen Vehicle Report. The vehicle was later removed from where it was located and is being held for further investigation. LoJack of SAN DIEGO COUNTY: On 12-02-09, the owner found that his 2009 Suzuki motorcycle had been stolen and reported it to the police. In just less than an hour and a half, Chula Vista Police received the silent signal and tracked it to the rear of a van parked on the street. After a short surveillance two suspects were arrested for the theft. On 12-19-09, the motorcycle was again stolen. This time the crooks had just taken it out of the owners apartment complex and parked it on the street approximately a block away. The last part of January, the owner moved to a gated community for better security. Because he had to wait for a garage, he parked his motorcycle next to his apartment. On 02-26-10 approximately 0130 in the morning the owner heard his motorcycle start up. He reported it to the police approximately 0234 hours. Chula Vista police again picked up the signal and within ten minutes observed the motorcycle parked on the street. Upon the owner getting his motorcycle back for the third time, he said he was “really happy he had purchased the LoJack system”. On 02-24-10, a San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy assigned to the Lemon Grove station was on patrol near Avocado Blvd. and SR94 when he received the silent signal from a stolen 2005 Toyota Corolla. He started tracking the signal and observed the vehicle being operated near Fury Lane and Via Escuda. He continued to follow the car until air ASTREA and cover deputies were in position to assist. He then initiated a stop in the 2200 block of Willow Glen Drive. The driver claimed a friend had given him the keys and he was to return the car to a local casino later in the day. A second deputy observed objective signs of the passenger being under the influence of drugs and placed her under arrest. The driver was arrested for auto theft and the passenger was incarcerated for being under the influence of drugs. The owner of the vehicle was called and responded to the scene to recover the vehicle. She stated she had lost her keys about three weeks prior and had been using her spare key. She was able to claim her vehicle without it sustaining any damage. On 02-25-10, a San Diego County Sheriff's deputy assigned to the Lemon Grove station was in the area of Calavo Dr., when he received the silent signal of a stolen 2008 Ford Ranger. He started following the signal and observed it abandoned in the 3200 block of Calavo Dr. The deputy and three other deputies set up surveillance in an attempt to apprehend the suspect. After approximately thirty minutes, a suspect came out of a house and entered the vehicle. The suspect turned onto San Carlos Dr. and was stopped a short distance later by the deputies that had been on surveillance. At the same time as the stop, two additional deputies arrived on the scene. The suspect was ordered out of the vehicle and secured. A K-9 deputy gave a command for anyone else in the car to surrender. When there was not any response, he ordered his K-9 to check the vehicle for suspects. When the suspect was confronted that he was driving a stolen vehicle, he said he had the keys so it couldn't be stolen. However, when he was asked who gave him the keys he refused to respond. The suspect was booked for auto theft and the truck was returned to the owner. MEXICO RECOVERIES: LoJack Mexico (CarMart) assisted authorities to recover seven (15) US stolen vehicles during the month of February 2010. NO NOTABLE ACTIVITIES IN THE BELOW COUNTIES FOR FEBRUARY 2010 LoJack of VENTURA COUNTY: LoJack of IMPERIAL COUNTY: LoJack of SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: LoJack of SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY: For further information, contact Southern California Senior Law Enforcement Liaison Ted Saraf, or phone 213-286-2610 day time or 1800-929-2000 after normal work hours. For a downloadable version of this report, please click here. Prior LoJack Monthly Update Reports are available, please click here. |
