Monthly Update Report for June, 2009
Southern California:
From: Ted Saraf, Senior Law Enforcement Liaison
During the month of June there were: 420 countable
“activations.”
HIGHLIGHT ACTIVITIES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2009: LoJack of LOS ANGELES COUNTY: On 5-25-09, within fifteen minutes of the LoJack system activating, LAPD Officers flying Air-11 picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 2004 Toyota Prius. They observed the vehicle moving in traffic with two male suspects inside. Air-11 vectored in ground units to intercept the vehicle. As the ground officers attempted to conduct a high risk traffic stop, the suspect sped away. The suspects stopped the vehicle at a shopping mall and ran inside with the officers close behind. They chased the suspect through the crowded mall and eventually took them into custody. Their investigation found that the suspects had stolen a Nissan Altima earlier in the week and directed the officers to its location where it was recovered. The suspects were arrested on a variety of charges from 10851 VC (Driving without Owners Consent to 496 PC (Receiving Stolen Property). Southwest Detectives are conducting the investigation. On 5-26-09, within sixteen minutes of the LoJack system activating, LAPD Officers flying Air-18 picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 1992 Honda Accord. They tracked it to the area of 56th Street and McKinley where they vectored in a Southwest Division Sergeant. The Sergeant observed a vehicle backing out of a residential driveway. When requested back-up units arrived they conducted a high risk traffic stop taking the one male suspect into custody. They conducted a follow-up back to the residence, obtained a consent search and located the stolen vehicle in the rear yard. The license plates had been removed and a dealer paper plate installed. They also observed several other vehicle parts at the location. They secured the location and Detectives from BAD Division responded to the location. While at the location, the suspect's cell phone rang and the Detective answered it. The female person talking told the detectives that her boyfriend had just been arrested driving a stolen vehicle (95 Nissan). The Detective convinced her to co-operate, which she did, and she gave the Detectives additional locations were other vehicles were being stripped for parts. The suspect at the location was arrested for 10801 VC (Owning or Operating a Chop Shop). The Detectives from BAD continued their investigation for several weeks, served a search warrant at other locations (Chop Shops) and were able to recover parts from seven other stolen vehicles. The suspect admitted to stealing about twenty five vehicles. The suspects were stealing older Hondas and Nissans, stripping them of parts and selling the parts. Their investigation has closed down a major Chop Shop Ring clearing eight crimes. The case is still ongoing, hoping to identify more victims. This is Chop Shop number 359 for LoJack of Southern California. On 5-30-09, within seven minutes of the LoJack system activating, LASD Century Station Deputies picked up the LoJack signal from the victim's stolen 2007 Cadillac Escalade. They tracked it to a tire shop in the 600 block of Rosecrans Ave. As soon as they drove into the parking lot, they observed one male suspect turn and run, jumping over a fence. Their investigation found a witness who identified the driver of the stolen vehicle and said the suspect who ran was in the stolen vehicle when it arrived. The two suspects were followed by a third suspect who was driving a white Pontiac. The Deputies checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect who had run away or the suspect who was driving the Pontiac. They did locate the driver suspect, who admitted knowing the vehicle was stolen but was being paid $300 to bring the vehicle to the tire shop and have the tires removed. The vehicle's ignition had been removed and the suspects wired a temporary ignition in order to start the vehicle. The driver was arrested for 10851 VC (Driving without Owner's Consent) and a variety of other charges. Century Station Detectives are investigating the case. On 6-5-09, Las Vegas Metro Pd entered a 1999 Toyota 4 Runner as stolen in their Nevada Stolen System/ NCIC activating a LoJack system that had been installed over 10 years ago in Riverside. Shortly after that activation and 300 miles away, an officer from Pomona Pd picked up the silent signal and obtained the description of the stolen vehicle. Assisted by a Pomona Pd auto theft detective, the officer and detective tracked and located the vehicle in the area of 3rd and Hamilton. As they neared the vehicle, they observed that it contained three females and noticed a male adult approaching the driver's side, entering the vehicle. The Toyota started moving and the officers attempted a felony traffic stop. At this time, the male driver sped away and initiated a pursuit which lasted about 5 minutes. The suspect ended up driving into a dead end area and crashed through a chain link fence stopping in a construction area. Assisting officers arrived detaining the three females while the original officers pursued the suspect on foot apprehending him after a short foot pursuit. All suspects were arrested and charges with VC 10851 Driving a stolen vehicle without owner's consent and VC 2088.2a Felony Evading. The original owner of this Toyota 4 runner had LoJack installed by Toyota of Riverside in February 1999. On 6-18-09, Pomona PD officers were alerted to a LoJack signal from a stolen 2005 Toyota Corolla by Pomona Pd Air-1 flight officers that they had picked up the signal and were currently tracking it. The area was Holt and Reservoir at which time a canine officer also picked up the signal. Assisting officers notified the air and ground unit that in the past they had recovered stolen vehicles from an apartment complex at Clark and Holt Ave. The canine officer indicated he was getting a full strength signal at one of the garages at which time other officers identified the renter of that garage. Upon contact with the renter, he indicated he had let another tenant use the garage and directed them to that person. Officers contacted a female who first was deceptive, but soon admitted she had been at the Welfare office with a girl friend who apparently had found keys to the vehicle on the chair. That suspect drove the vehicle to this suspect's apartment and utilized her garage to store the vehicle. The female who let the second female use the garage was arrested and booked for PC 496 Receiving stolen property. Investigation continues as to the second female who stole the vehicle. On 6-23-09, El Monte Pd Air-45 Flight Officers picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 1993 Honda Accord that had been reported an hour prior to the LASD Temple Station deputies. Once obtaining the description from dispatchers, they continued tracking the signal alerting ground units as to the direction. Within minutes, the vehicle was spotted W/B Ramona Blvd and Gilman being followed by another 94 Honda Civic. Air-45 watched as these vehicles ran stop signs at which time ground units caught up to the vehicles. At this time, a dual pursuit was initiated by both suspect drivers. In an attempt to divert the officers, the suspects split up with officers in pursuit of both vehicles while the air unit remained with the confirmed stolen coordinating the direction of travel. The Honda Accord finally pulled into a complex and the suspect driver bailed on foot, but was captured by ground unit officers. The second Honda apparently lost control and hit a chain link fence. That suspect was also apprehended without further incident. Officers determined that the two drivers were parolees as well as a female passenger in the Honda Accord. They were all taken into custody and booked on numerous felony charges. The 94 Honda Civic was later determined to be a stolen vehicle reported to Baldwin Park PD that day. Case was referred to Station Detectives for filing. On 06/25/09, patrol deputies from LASD COPS Bureau, Palmdale High Impact Team, picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from the 2007 Melroe Bobcat, with the LoJack Police Tracking Computer installed in their patrol cars. The deputies tracked the Bobcat while requesting additional patrol units. The stolen Bobcat was tracked to the area of 3800 block of West Ave N-3. The Bobcat was observed in a metal shed at the location. The deputies received consent to check the shed, were they positively identified the stolen Bobcat. Also found was a stolen 2001 Kawasaki KX-250 motorcycle, along with a possible stolen 2004 Suzuki RM250 motorcycle. Detectives from TRAP North Team responded to assist with the investigation. One suspect was taken into custody for 487 (a) PC (GTA) without incident. The deputies conducted a follow up investigation to suspect's fathers business, and recovered the forklift and bucket attachments which were removed from the stolen Bobcat. The Bobcat and motorcycles were impounded. This investigation is being conducted by detectives from Palmdale Station. LoJack of ORANGE COUNTY: On 6-4-09, detectives from Anaheim PD were alerted to a LoJack silent signal on their portable tracking LoJack system of a 2007 Chevrolet Impala stolen minutes earlier in Anaheim. They broadcasted the area of the signal reception and direction of signal to patrol units from Anaheim indicating the vehicle was near the area of Magnolia and Lincoln. At that time one of the patrol units that was LoJack equipped also picked up the signal and spotted the vehicle moving occupied by two males. The suspect driver saw the officer and fled into a residential housing track from the vehicle on foot being pursued by the officer. Assisting officers detained the passenger in the stolen vehicle at that scene. The fleeing suspect was apprehended and arrested without further incident. Both suspects were arrested and booked VC 10851 DWOC and PC 496 Receiving stolen property. The vehicle was later released to its owner, undamaged. On 6-4-09, detectives from the Anaheim PD auto theft detail were working a rash of Toyota Tacoma thefts in Orange County and Anaheim area when they received information from Placentia PD and LoJack that three Toyota Tacoma trucks had been stolen that morning in Placentia. One of the Toyota trucks had been LoJack equipped and had activated when entered as stolen by Placentia PD. Within minutes of activation, information was received that the California Highway Patrol was tracking the vehicles signal in the area of the 60 Freeway and Grand Ave. The Anaheim detectives immediately drove to that area and picked up the LoJack silent signal of the stolen 01 Toyota and tracked it to the area of the 1900 block of Shaded Wood Rd, city of Walnut. They set up surveillance and contacted Placentia Pd detectives who responded to the area and assumed the investigation. After several hours of surveillance, Placentia detectives were recovering the 01 Toyota Tacoma when they were contacted by a resident who had informed them he had chased out three males that had arrived in two other Toyota Tacoma trucks around 4 AM. He indicated that the vehicles were parked around the block and furnished a license plate of a suspect vehicle what had picked up the individuals leaving the area. The detectives were able to recover the other missing Toyota Tacoma truck stolen that day. Investigation continues by the Placentia PD Detectives and Orange County Auto Theft detectives. LoJack of RIVERSIDE COUNTY: On June 3, 2009, the owner of a 2003 Cadillac Escalade SUV discovered his car stolen and notified Riverside County Sheriff's Palm Desert Station. This police report automatically activated the hidden LOJACK transponder in the victim's vehicle as the stolen information is entered into the California Department of Justice Stolen Vehicle System (SVS) computer. At about 12:58 pm, CHP Napa Aviation Helicopter H-30 was patrolling over Sonoma County when its on-board LoJack Police Tracking Computer started picking up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Cadillac on IS 101 in Sonoma County. Stolen information radioed to the CHP airship showed that the Cadillac was reported stolen an hour prior, 600 miles south, in Riverside County. This obvious lag time in discovering the theft could have been avoided had the vehicle been equipped with LoJack's Early Warning option. Officers called in ground units and both Airship and ground CHP and Sheriff's units tracked the LoJack signal to a rural area in the town of Geyserville, near an Indian Gaming Casino. The stolen Cadillac was located in a warehouse on the property. A lone suspect was arrested and questioned. Inside the warehouse, besides the stolen Cadillac, were kitchen appliances, washing machines, stoves, refrigerators, microwave ovens, to the tune of 20-30 items. On the backside of the property was a healthy crop of Marijuana plants. Officers were still tagging evidence at the time of this report. The undamaged Cadillac was impounded for evidence with actual ownership of it and the appliances to be investigated and determined by investigators. Recovery time: 73 minutes; Distance to recovery: 600 miles On 06-12-09, within one and one half hours of being activated, a Riverside PD METRO/SWAT Officer was driving his LoJack equipped (take home vehicle) on State Highway 74 at Briggs, in the City of Menifee. He picked up the silent LoJack homing signal from a 2000 Honda Civic, which had been reported stolen to the Hemet Police Department. He verified the stolen vehicle status through his department's dispatch and requested assistance from Riverside County Sheriff's Perris Station. The officer continued to track the LoJack signal in a northeast direction, which led him to a northbound direction on Menifee Road. He proceeded in that direction to a road with no marker, where the signal became weaker, pointing in an eastbound direction. He sped up to avoid losing the signal just in case the vehicle was moving. After some distance he passed a residence and the LoJack signal intensified pointed to the residence (later identified as the 29000 block of Varela Lane). He saw a silver Honda at the end of the driveway that appeared to be stripped, with two male suspects standing next to it. He continued past the location, taking up a position of advantage, where he could maintain surveillance until RSO back up units arrived. When they did, he quickly briefed them on the situation. Together they deployed on the location taking both suspects into custody without incident. One of the suspects was detained as he was preparing to enter a Chevrolet Suburban, which contained vehicle parts stripped from the Honda. Both suspects were arrested for Possession and Stripping a Stolen Vehicle. RSO Perris Auto Detectives will conduct further investigation into this case. LoJack of SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: On 6-15-09, officers from the Ontario Police Department picked up the silent LoJack signal of a stolen 2005 Toyota 4 Runner reported minutes earlier to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Industry Station. Officers indicated the signal was coming from the area of Euclid Ave and Highway 60. Another officer responded to the area and located the vehicle at a gas station, observing a male entering into the vehicle as he drove through the station. As the officer turned around, he observed the suspect exit the vehicle and enters into the service station mini market. The officer followed the suspect into the location and detained him. At that time he observed another individual exit the men's restroom and directed assisting officers to detain that individual. A search of the first suspect seen resulted in locating a Toyota key that fit the stolen 4 Runner. That suspect was on felony probation was arrested along with the second suspect who had been with the primary suspect. The vehicle was later returned to the victim, undamaged. Case was referred to station detectives for follow up as there apparently is a video of where the truck was stolen from possibly showing the two suspects. On 06-27-09, just five minutes after being activated, San Bernardino PD Flight Officers flying “Air-1” picked up the LoJack silent homing signal from a 2005 Honda Civic, which had just been entered as stolen by Fontana PD. “Air-1” acquired the signal in the vicinity of Third Street and Tippecanoe Avenue and quickly observed the stolen vehicle eastbound on Third Street from Tippecanoe Avenue. Responding ground units were advised of the location and direction of travel. One unit who was very close by also observed the vehicle and confirmed the stolen vehicle status. As the unit attempted to stop the vehicle, the female driver accelerated, fleeing from the officers and a vehicle pursuit ensued. After a lengthy pursuit, where the driver suspect displayed no regard for the safety of others, it came to an end at the end of 7th Street, which was completely blocked off with a dirt embankment. The suspect fled the vehicle on foot and was half way up the embankment when she gave up to the pursuing officers. She was taken into custody without further incident. She stated to the officers that she did not know the car was stolen and the reason that she ran was because she had an outstanding Felony Parole Warrant. During a search, a female officer, located a plastic baggy containing a white crystal like substance, which the officers determined was Methamphetamine. The officers verified the suspect's statement of the warrant and she was arrested for Parole Violation, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Felony Evading and Possession of Methamphetamine. The vehicle was towed and stored and the victim contacted by telephone and he did not desire to prosecute the suspect. LoJack of SAN DIEGO COUNTY: On 06-07-09, a San Diego County Sheriff's Deputy was in the 8800 block of Cuyamaca St. when he received the silent signal from a stolen 2005 Toyota Tundra. After learning a description of the vehicle he followed the signal westbound on Mission Gorge Road. As he caught up with the vehicle the driver pulled into a fast food restaurant in the 9600 block of Mission Gorge Road. With additional Deputies in place for back-up a felony stop was initiated and the driver was detained. The owner of the truck was summoned to the scene and verified several items that were in the truck when it was stolen. During an inventory of the truck, drug paraphernalia was found that did not belong to the owner. Once back at the station, the suspect showed signs of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. After the suspect was advised of his rights, he chose not to answer any questions. The suspect was charged with the theft of the vehicle and possession of a shaved key that was in the ignition. Additional charges of driving under the influence were also charged and the suspect was booked into county jail. The vehicle was returned to the rightful owner without receiving any damage. On 6-11-09, the Baja State Police, with assistance of Carmart, picked up the silent signal of the GMC Yukon in Tijuana, BC, Mexico. After a short while they located the vehicle in the Playas area of Tijuana. Inside a house, they could see the license plates on two vehicles. Checks for wants were run on these plates and one was to a stolen 2004 Ford Explorer stolen in San Diego in 2006. This gave them probable cause to check other vehicles in the house and yard. Also found at the location was a 2007 Nissan Titan reported stolen to Yuma, AZ. in February of 2009 and a 2001 Chevrolet Astro Van reported to El Cajon Police on June 6, 2009. All stolen vehicles were stored for safe keeping and five suspects were arrested for auto theft charges. On 06-16-09, San Diego Police advised that a stolen vehicle with a LoJack tracking system was in the area of Main Street in Lemon Grove, just 20 minutes after it had been reported stolen. Two Deputies started moving to the general area to search for the stolen vehicle and the area Auto Theft Detective, with a LoJack tracker in his vehicle, picked up the signal and started tracking to Olive Street. One of the Deputies saw the vehicle in a parking lot just as the Detective tracked the signal to the same location. The Detective, in an un-marked vehicle, advised the other units to move out of the area and he would set up surveillance. Within a few minutes, the Detective observed three suspects enter the vehicle. The Deputies moved into position to block the vehicle from leaving the parking lot and conducted a felony stop on the suspects. After detaining the suspects and interviewing them, they were arrested for auto theft and booked for being in possession of a stolen vehicle. The vehicle was stored for safe keeping without sustaining any damage. On 06-05-09, San Diego Air ABLE advised Chula Vista Police of a LoJack signal belonging to a stolen 2000 Lincoln in the Camino Atajo area. A patrol sergeant and an officer drove in that direction and picked up the signal, tracking it to a residence in the 1000 block of Camino Atajo. A Chula Vista Detective assigned to the Regional Auto Theft Task Force (RATT) was advised of the situation and advised patrol to keep the house under surveillance and he would obtain a search warrant. While the warrant was being issued, a suspect exited the house and went a short distance and then was returning to the house. He was detained and said the house belonged to a friend and confirmed that a Lincoln LS was in the garage. A short time later, the detective returned with the search warrant for the house and garage. During the search, in addition to the stolen car, officers found approximately 1200 Ecstasy tablets, mushroom buds, cocaine and a stolen handgun. The suspects in the house were arrested and booked for a variety of crimes pertaining to the evidence found during the search of the house. The car was recovered without sustaining any damage and was stored for the rightful owner. MEXICO RECOVERIES: Mexico authorities recovered Twenty (20) US stolen vehicles during the month of June 2009. LoJack of VENTURA COUNTY: No Activity this month. LoJack of IMPERIAL COUNTY: No activity this month. LoJack of SANTA BARBARA COUNTY: No activity this month. LoJack SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY: No activity this month. 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 in Word, please click here. Prior LoJack Monthly Update Reports are available, please click here. |
