LoJack Reveals Top Stolen Commercial Equipment Recoveries Of 2009

Stolen vehicle recovery system helps police bust chop shops, recover stolen construction equipment and get the bad guys.

WESTWOOD, MA - LoJack Corporation unveiled its wrap-up of the year's top recoveries of stolen pieces of construction equipment that were equipped with a LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System. These recoveries demonstrate how LoJack's Radio Frequency technology - which operates even if the equipment is in a concrete garage, steal container or hidden in dense foliage - and direct integration with police help law enforcement bust major chop shops, recover equipment unharmed, and arrest the thieves behind these and other more serious crimes.

Below are LoJack's top commercial equipment recoveries for 2009:

  • "Best Story about Getting the Bad Guys" - Deputies with the Pinal County Sheriff's Department in Arizona tracked a stolen Ingersoll Rand air compressor to a remote housing area where they recovered the stolen air compressor and a stolen Dodge flatbed work truck, as well as thousands of dollars worth of computers and related equipment that recently had been taken in a burglary.  In addition, they found dangerous drugs and seized several guns. Two suspects were booked on multiple theft charges and a third was found to have several outstanding arrest warrants.
  • "Fastest Chop Shop Bust"- A 2007 Caterpillar Forklift was reported stolen and within 10 minutes the forklift was located on a flatbed tow truck.  Two suspects were seen entering the tow truck in an effort to flee the scene.  A San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (California) helicopter was brought in to assist in stopping the vehicle.  The two suspects-both of whom were on parole-were apprehended.  In total, Fontana police recovered five vehicles valued at more than $100,000 and arrested four suspects.
  • "Great Save in a Container on a Ship" - In this recovery, a 2006 Yellow John Deere front-end loader/backhoe was stolen from a construction site near the Florida Turnpike. A deputy with the Broward County Sheriff's Office tracked the Radio Frequency signal to a freighter docked on the Intracoastal Waterway being loaded and bound for Costa Rica, Venezuela and other South American countries.  Four containers from the ship were placed on the deck and police were able to pinpoint the container holding the LoJack-equipped backhoe. When the container was opened, a second stolen backhoe was also recovered-both undamaged. 
  • "Most Often Recovered Equipment"- The owner reported a 2005 Lincoln welder stolen and within minutes officers with the Dallas Police Department tracked the equipment to a house where they found the welder in the garage.  The home owner stated that he had bought the welder from an individual at a flea market. Upon investigation, the police discovered that the welder had been stolen five times and recovered each time thanks to police and LoJack.
  • "Best Big City Recovery" - Two 2007 Case 580 front loader backhoes were stolen from a construction site in Chicago.  When the working crew arrived on a Friday morning, they called to report the theft.  Fortunately, one of the backhoes was equipped with a LoJack System.  Several agencies, including officials with the Illinois State Police, Northeast Metro Auto Theft Task Force and NICB, tracked the LoJack signal to I-94 South and converged on a Freightliner truck towing a flatbed trailer with both backhoes.  The driver of the Freightliner, which had Texas license plates, was arrested and both backhoes - valued at more than $100,000 - were recovered.  The sophisticated suspect even lowered the tire pressure in the backhoes, which would assist him in transporting the stolen assets under low overheads.   
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