(VIDEO) LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Recover Stolen Classic VW Beetle

  • July 14, 2016

The owners of a 1967 Volkswagen Beetle contacted the West Covina Police Department to report that their vehicle was stolen from their driveway. According to the owner, his video security camera recorded the event, obtained a description of suspect and vehicle. Police verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Volkswagen Beetle.

A short while later deputies from the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department Industry Station as well as the Los Angeles SD Air-8 picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Volkswagen with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, they tracked the Beetle to a private residence in the city of La Puente where they located the vehicle parked in a driveway covered up with a tarp. Detectives from the Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention (TRAP) responded and set up surveillance. Within one and one half hours, they observed a resident arrive at which time they contacted this person. The detectives were told that a male known to the resident called in the early AM hours and asked if he could bring a car to store. Detectives learned this individual was a local gang member and have since obtained DNA and finger print evidence. A warrant for the arrest will be sought once evidence establishes the true identity of the suspect. The Volkswagen Beetle was later released to the happy owner.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Volkswagen Beetle in April 2015 via Direct Sales.