Stolen PT Cruiser Recovered, 2 Local Gang Members Arrested, by Santa Clara Police Using LoJack
- March 31, 2014
On November 7, 2012, the owner of 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser contacted the San Jose Police Department to report the vehicle stolen from the street in San Jose, California.
San Jose Police verified the crime information and entered the Chrysler’s information into the state and federal crime computers, which automatically activated the LoJack transponder concealed in the vehicle. LoJack is the only theft recovery system that is directly operated by law enforcement and this interface is seamless and instantaneous.
A short while later, officers with the Santa Clara Auto Theft Task Force picked up the silent LoJack homing signals from the stolen Chrysler on the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and signal strength cues on the LoJack computers, the officers located the abandoned vehicle.
Santa Clara Auto Theft Task Force officers set up a surveillance operation on the Chrysler. Several hours later, the officers observed two suspects enter the stolen vehicle and attempt to drive off. Officers surrounded the car and arrested the occupants. Further investigation revealed that the two suspects were wanted local gang members. Inside the stolen car were two loaded semi-automatic handguns. It is a common tactic for gang members to steal a vehicle and later use it to transport them to conduct crimes.