LoJack’s Best Commercial Recovery Stories of All Time
- November 28, 2011
- jaleman
LoJack® continues to be No. 1 in theft recovery. Since 1986, LoJack has recovered more than 300,000 stolen vehicles and construction equipment—worth nearly $4 billion.
LoJack has had some incredible recovery stories over the course of its 25+ years, so in a series of ongoing posts, we will be sharing our best stories of all time in the areas of commercial, SUV’s, luxury cars, sports cars, international, motorcycles, and pick-up trucks.
Below you will find our commercial vehicle and heavy equipment recoveries that stand out the most.
LoJack Helps Georgia Sheriff’s Department Bust $2 Million+ Theft Ring
The manager of a construction site in Georgia reported his 1994 LoJack-equipped Caterpillar D8 stolen. Officers with the Fayette County Sheriff Department’s Helicopter Unit began picking up the LoJack signal from the stolen bulldozer and tracked it down in less than two hours. In addition to recovering the stolen Caterpillar, the Sheriff’s Department identified several other pieces of heavy equipment and parts, with a total value of nearly $2 million—the largest chop shop bust involving LoJack in Georgia. Four men were charged with several counts of theft.
Valuable LoJack Recovery in Vegas
Thieves stole a generator equipped with LoJack from a construction company in Las Vegas. Police tracked it to a complex in Los Angeles, where they discovered a major theft ring—extending from California to Nevada to Missouri—with hundreds of pieces of stolen equipment valued at $2.5 to $3 million dollars.
$1.5 Million Recovered From Chicago Chop Shop
When a 1996 Caterpillar backhoe on an open construction site was reported stolen, Chicago Police Department picked up the vehicle’s LoJack signal within minutes. Authorities were led to a chop shop and recovered 60 stolen cars, two motor homes, two tractors, six pieces of construction equipment and several motorcycles within the confines of the warehouse. The total value of the recovery was estimated at $1.5 million. The operator of the chop shop, who had been arrested twice before for vehicle theft, was subsequently convicted.
$1.25 Million Heavy Construction Equipment Theft Ring Busted
Thanks to LoJack and California Highway Patrol, Officers with the California Highway Patrol, Riverside County Auto Theft Interdiction Detail (RAID) and the Inland Division Investigative Services Unit (ISU) located a LoJack-equipped 2000 John Deere backhoe/ loader, which were stolen from a construction company. The backhoe was tracked to a tractor-trailer rig heading north on a roadway 20 miles from where it had been stolen. A 10-month investigation led to five arrests and the recovery of 23 pieces of heavy construction equipment valued at $1.25 million.
Delaware Police Officer Leads Investigation on Construction Theft Ring
After making an initial stolen vehicle recovery using LoJack technology, a Delaware detective spearheaded an investigation that led to the discovery of a sizable construction equipment theft ring in the area. More than
$800,000 worth of heavy machinery was recovered, and 64 criminal arrest warrants were served as a result of the detective’s intensive investigation.
LoJack Leads Police to Large Crime Ring
Officers from the California Highway Patrol tracked a stolen 2001 Ingersoll Rand Bobcat to a storage yard in Spring Valley. After the car was found and the initial investigation was completed, authorities decided to launch an undercover operation—which resulted in the recovery of 20 vehicles, three late model flat bed trailers, a Kawasaki motorcycle and four Bobcat trailers. The total value of the recovery was $531,000. In addition, a marijuana farm on a 50-acre parcel of land was uncovered during the investigation, and $250,000 worth of marijuana plants was seized. Nine suspects were arrested.
Police Bust Chop Shop Involving Construction Equipment Ready to Set Sail
When a 2006 yellow John Deere front-end loader/backhoe was stolen from a construction site near the Florida Turnpike, the workers reported the crime. The next day, a Broward County officer picked up on the LoJack signal. He followed it to a freighter docked on the Intracoastal Waterway that was being loaded, bound for Costa Rica, Venezuela and other South American countries. The deputy determined that the signal was emanating from the bow of the ship and recovered the equipment, which was valued at $100,000.
Police Recover $70,000 Worth of Property
While on patrol, the Chamber County Sheriff (Texas) picked up a LoJack signal coming from a stolen Miller Welder on a trailer. The signal led police officers to a residence, where the welder was recovered. Authorities also discovered several other stolen items, including a Kubota tractor with a front-end loader, a John Deere riding mower and a lowboy trailer. In addition, several guns that had been reported stolen were found, in all, valued at $70,000. The homeowner was placed under arrest.
Police Pick Up LoJack Signal Within 2 Minutes of Activation
Within two minutes of activating the LoJack system, police picked up the silent signal from a stolen Hyster forklift, which was hidden inside a Los Angeles warehouse. Upon identifying the forklift, police noticed its PIN plate had been removed. Deputies also found another non-LoJack-equipped forklift—which was originally stolen in 2006—at the same location and arrested one suspect.
More Stories Coming Soon…
If you enjoyed these stories, stay tuned as we still have abundance of great stories to share in the areas of SUV’s, luxury cars, sports cars, international, motorcycles, and pick-up trucks.
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