In one theft ring bust, the LoJack System helped the Miami-area police find a major construction theft ring and recover more than 30 pieces of construction equipment/commercial vehicles - including welders, compressors, generators, weed whackers and hedge trimmers - valued at approximately $1.5 million.

Overall, LoJack has enabled law enforcement to discover more than 70 theft rings and chop shops since entering the construction market.

Popular Equipment Make Popular Theft Targets
The study also revealed that newer equipment on the job site is the most common theft target because of higher resale value.  The types of equipment most frequently stolen are (in order): 

1. Backhoe Loaders/Skip Loaders/Wheel Loaders/Track Loaders
2. Light Utility/Work Trucks and Trailers
3. Generators/Air Compressors/Welders
4. Skid Steers
5. Forklifts/Scissor Lifts

These equipment types represented more than 75 percent of all construction equipment recoveries documented by LoJack in 2008.  A full 66 percent of the equipment stolen and recovered was five years old or less and a full 72 percent was recovered in 24 hours or less after being reported to the police. 

States with the Highest Theft Rates
Based on LoJack's recovery data, the following are the top states with the highest occurrence of equipment theft: