LoJack-Equipped Mobile Assets Lead Police to Four Chop Shops, One Illegal Export Operation in One Week

WESTWOOD, Mass., April 24 -- In less than one week in April, LoJack Corporation's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System was instrumental in helping police uncover four chop shops and one international theft operation in five different states, recover 17 cars, four motorcycles, numerous pieces of construction equipment and arrest 11 suspects. The LoJack System has once again proven its effectiveness in recovering a wide spectrum of stolen mobile assets and in helping police to apprehend the criminals behind these crimes. In fact, every 17 minutes a stolen vehicle equipped with LoJack technology is recovered somewhere in the world.

"Uncovering a chop shop maximizes the effectiveness of the LoJack System, enabling law enforcement to recover multiple mobile assets at one time," said Richard T. Riley, LoJack Chairman and CEO. "These recent recoveries highlight the versatility of LoJack's proven Radio Frequency technology, enabling police in both helicopters and vehicles to track and recover assets including cars, motorcycles and construction equipment found inside a steel shipping container, in chop shops, as well as out in the open."

About the Recoveries:

LoJack-Equipped Honda Leads Police to Chop Shop Using Pit Bulls for Protection

In this recovery, a Natick, Massachusetts resident had his car stolen while he slept. Once the signal was activated, Lynn Police and the Massachusetts State Police troopers tracked the vehicle to a home in Lynn, MA where officers found a partially stripped vehicle in the driveway and two more in a nearby garage. Four people were placed under arrest, but the resident of the property refused to surrender. After subduing and arresting the resident, the officers were confronted by two pit bulls, one of which began attacking an officer. Another officer was forced to fire his weapon at the attacking dog. In this instance, the LoJack System enabled police to finally put an end to a chop shop that had been under investigation for a period of time.

LoJack-Equipped Pickup Truck Leads Police to Major Chop Shop

In this recovery, a LoJack-equipped Ford F250 Turbo Diesel pickup was reported stolen in San Antonio, TX. A Texas State Trooper picked up the LoJack signal and located the pickup parked in front of an auto parts and repair service business. Upon investigation, the State Motor Vehicle Theft Service and the San Antonio Police Department found 11 additional stolen vehicles on the premises, worth just under $200,000. The owner of the business was arrested.

Deputy Sheriff Tracks Construction Equipment to Chop Shop at a Private Home

In this recovery, the owner of a skid steer was inspecting his Florida construction site after a weekend and realized that his equipment was missing. Not long after reporting the theft to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, a deputy began receiving a signal emitted from the skid steer. The Deputy tracked the signal to a fenced-in yard behind a private home. The investigation recovered numerous other pieces of stolen equipment valued at approximately $250,000 and the owner of the home was arrested.

Police Bust Motorcycle Chop Shop and Arrest Three

In this recovery, a Yamaha motorcycle was stolen in Charlotte, North Carolina. Within minutes of the activation, A West Columbia Police officer with the assistance of Lexington County Sheriff's deputies, tracked the signal to a local motorcycle repair shop where the investigation revealed three stolen Suzuki motorcycles along with three stolen covered trailers typically used to transport motorcycles. The owner of the repair business and two other subjects were arrested.

Helicopter Tracks Stolen Vehicle to Steel Shipping Container

In this New Jersey recovery, a Newark police aviation unit received a signal from a Land Rover that had been reported stolen in Virginia. The helicopter tracked the LoJack signal to a steel shipping container sitting at a Newark port awaiting shipment overseas. When the container was opened, police found the Land Rover they had been tracking along with two other stolen vehicles. The investigation into this illegal export operation is ongoing.

About LoJack Corporation

LoJack Corporation, the company that invented the stolen vehicle recovery market two decades ago, is the undisputed global leader in tracking and recovering valuable mobile assets. The company's time-tested system is optimized for recovering stolen mobile assets through its proven Radio Frequency technology and unique integration with law enforcement agencies in the United States that use LoJack's in-vehicle tracking equipment to recover cars, trucks, commercial vehicles, construction equipment and motorcycles. The company's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System delivers a better than 90 percent success rate and has helped recover more than $4 billion in stolen LoJack-equipped assets worldwide. Today LoJack operates in 26 states and the District of Columbia, and in 29 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.