LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Chevrolet Corvette

  • March 31, 2016

The owners of a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette contacted the Buena Park Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen by unknown suspects. Officers verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Corvette.

A short while later the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Air-22 flight deputies picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Chevrolet Corvette with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, Air 22 tracked the Corvette to a rear alley of the 7800 block of Pioneer Blvd, observed a male adult exit the passenger door of the Corvette and enters the garage at that location. They then observed the driver exit the driver’s side and enter the garage. This information was radioed to ground units from the LASD Pico station and as they arrived, they saw a male walking in the alley away from the Corvette. This suspect matched the suspect observed by Air-22 and as the deputies ordered the suspect to surrender, they saw him throw a set of keys under a parked car. This suspect was taken into custody without further incident. A second suspect was found inside the garage by assisting deputies and taken into custody. These deputies saw what appeared to be various car parts, tools, license plates and formed an opinion this may be a “Chop Shop.”

Detectives from the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (T.R.A.P.) San Gabriel Valley Team responded and assumed the investigation. A search warrant was requested and served on the location. The detectives discovered a stolen Car Hauler missing since 2015 from Downey, CA, and also found a set of stolen license plates from Norwalk. The stolen vehicle, a 2006 Chevrolet Silverado, belonging to the plates had been recovered but the plates had not been found until this date. Due to the fact the car trailer had been “Vin Switched” the detectives stored a motor home and a 1985 Chevrolet El Camino for investigation. One suspect was booked for an outstanding warrant. The case detective indicated that charges for operating a Chop Shop and receiving stolen property will be filed against both suspects upon completion of this investigation.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Corvette in August 2008 at Cornell Chevrolet in Costa Mesa, California.