The LoJack® System Helps Fairfield, California Police Recover Stolen Caterpillar 420D Backhoe and Bust up ‘Chop Shop’
- April 2, 2014
- jaleman
When a Caterpillar 420D Backhoe was stolen from a job site in Fairfield, CA, police were optimistic about recovering it because it had the LoJack® system installed when it was purchased. Just a few minutes after activation, officers not only located the machine in question, but other stolen machines, guns and drugs, at a location presumed to be a local ‘chop shop’.
On March 29th, 2014, the Caterpillar’s owner contacted the Fairfield Police Department to report the crime. Officers verified the theft and entered the tractor information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the Backhoe.
Less than ten minutes later, officers with the Fairfield Police and the Solano County Sheriff’s Department picked up the homing signals from the stolen machine on the LoJack tracking computers installed in their patrol vehicles. The officers located the Caterpillar at a ranch near I-680 and Ramey Road that had been under investigation for illegal activity for some time. Officers obtained a search warrant and recovered not only the backhoe, but also two stolen ATVs, seven stolen guns, a cut up flatbed trailer, and a significant amount of illegal drugs. A total of 12 people were arrested at the location for various charges. The 420D was retrieved and soon returned to its thankful owners.