LoJack Success Story Blog

http://www.autotheftblog.com - Success Stories From The Premier Provider of Tracking and Recovery Systems

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New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/09/15/lojack-system-helps-california-highway-patrol-air-37-livermore-police-department-recover-stolen-honda-civic/

LoJack® System Helps California Highway Patrol Air 37 and Livermore Police Department Recover Stolen Honda Civic

The owners of a 2012 Honda Civic contacted the Pleasant Hill Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen. The victims advised their Honda had been taken from their residence.

The Pleasant Hill PD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda Civic.

A short while later officers from the California Highway Patrol Air Operations Unit picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.  Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the officers tracked the Honda to the area of a premium outlet mall in the city of Livermore on El Charro Rd near I-580. The air unit directed in the Livermore Police Department ground units who located the Honda parked and abandoned in the mall parking lot.  Surveillance was set up and a male suspect was observed entering the stolen Honda. The suspect was taken into custody by the Livermore PD.

The Honda was recovered and released to the owner.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Honda Civic in June 2012 at Concord Honda in California.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/08/29/former-las-vegas-metro-police-department-auto-theft-sergeant-joins-lojacks-law-enforcement-liaison-team/

Former Las Vegas Metro Police Department Auto Theft Sergeant Joins LoJack’s Law Enforcement Liaison Team

LoJack is excited to announce today that Tom Allen, former Las Vegas Metro Police Sergeant, will be the newest member of its Law Enforcement Liaison team. His experience and expertise will bolster support for the law enforcement agencies utilizing the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery Network in the Southern Nevada and Utah regions.

“Over the course of more than 28 years, Tom has conducted many successful investigations employing LoJack technology to combat auto theft in Las Vegas,” said Patrick Clancy, VP of LoJack Law Enforcement. “Among several highly qualified candidates, he stood out as having the background, training skills and specialized experience to guide the expansion of  LoJack’s footprint and relationships within Nevada and Utah.”

Prior to starting his lengthy career in law enforcement, Allen was a member of the US Air Force. Following his service, he was hired as a Trooper with the Utah Highway Patrol in 1988 and moved to the Las Vegas Metro PD three years later. For the next 17 years, he worked in patrol, detectives and Criminal Intelligence sections until his promotion to Sergeant in 2008. In this role, he performed in various capacities including the Problem Solving Unit, as a firearms instructor, a supervisor for auto theft investigations and as supervisor in the VIPER unit (Vehicle Investigation Project for Enforcement and Recovery). Additionally, Allen participated in and held leadership roles with the International Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Investigators and the Tri-State Intelligence Association. Notably, he was also assigned for three months to the US Department of Homeland Security in Washington D.C. as a representative of the Las Vegas Metro PD.

In his new role with the LoJack Law Enforcement Liaison team, Tom will build upon previous experience conducting training sessions related to vehicle theft and outlaw criminal group investigations as he provides advice and professional instruction to law enforcement agencies throughout Nevada and Utah.

Want to know more about our team of Law Enforcement Liaisons? Visit: http://www.lojack.com/For-Law-Enforcement.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/08/22/former-supervisor-northern-california-foreign-export-recovery-unit-joins-lojacks-law-enforcement-liaison-team/

Former Supervisor of the Northern California Foreign Export and Recovery Unit to Joins LoJack’s Law Enforcement Liaison Team

Today, LoJack announced the newest member to its Law Enforcement Liaison team, former California Highway Patrol Sergeant Ron Rogers. Covering the San Jose/San Francisco Bay area, Ron will provide added support and expertise in the auto theft space to San Francisco Bay regional law enforcement agencies utilizing the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery Network.

“Ron has been in law enforcement for close to 30 years and in that time, has been a part of countless successful auto theft investigations utilizing LoJack in Northern California,” said Patrick Clancy, VP of LoJack Law Enforcement. “His background, training skills, and specialized experience will help lead the way for LoJack to expand its technology and relationships in the San Francisco Bay area.”

Rogers’ law enforcement career began in the City of Livermore, CA in 1980, where he served as a uniformed patrol officer. Shortly after, he joined the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and worked as a patrol officer in posts throughout California until 1996. For the next nine years, he was assigned to the Investigative Services Unit with the Golden Gate Division of the CHP, while also serving as a member of the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force. After his promotion to Sergeant in 2005, he began supervising the Northern California Foreign Export and Recovery Team (also known as FEAR), which specialized in recovering stolen vehicles that were taken for the purpose of export from the US. In this role, Rogers worked closely with US Customs and Border Protection agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and regional auto theft task forces. He returned to the Alameda County Regional Auto Theft Task Force in 2009 as a supervisor in a role he held until his retirement.

As part of LoJack’s Law Enforcement Liaison team, Ron will provide expertise to area law enforcement agencies who are leveraging the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System. He’ll also be in charge of professional training and serve as an advisor to law enforcement agencies throughout the San Francisco Bay area.

Interested in learning more about our team of Law Enforcement Liaisons? Visit: http://www.lojack.com/For-Law-Enforcement.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/08/11/lojack-vehicle-recovery-month-august/

LoJack Vehicle Recovery of the Month: August

Spotted: The Connected Vehicle Thief

The summer months bring beach weather, vacations, barbeques and more fun activities, however, they also signify a significant uptick in the amount of stolen vehicles. July and August are the top time of the year for auto theft, as reported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.[1] This has been a notable trend for years – but now, consumers must also contend with the fact that the very nature of auto theft is changing. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) and increasingly sophisticated vehicle technology, more and more connected cars are hitting the road. Criminals have become more sophisticated as well, adopting advanced techniques to steal these vehicles. Enter the Connected Vehicle Thief.

This new age thief is looking not only to steal property, but also to access drivers’ personal data. These criminals utilize tech-enabled methods to take vehicles, including car cloning, vehicle ransom, and identity theft. They strategically target luxury, high-end cars, hoping to make a profit. Other hallmarks of the Connected Vehicle Thief include using scanner boxes to exploit the electronic system utilized by smart keys and involvement in sophisticated organized crime rings. (For more information and tips on how drivers can protect themselves, please click here).

In line with this trend, we are spotlighting a recovery story with a thief who fits this profile.

LoJack® System Helps Law Enforcement Takedown Luxury Auto Theft Ring in San Diego, CA

The CHP-Inland Division Auto Theft Unit recently received a call that a 2015 Land Rover, Range Rover had been stolen via a fraudulent purchase in San Diego. The LoJack System concealed in the Land Rover was activated, and San Diego Police Department officers were able to track the signal to a hotel parking lot. Police determined that the thief had been staying at the hotel. Highway Patrol Border and Inland Division Auto Theft Investigators were also called to the scene to investigate further. When all was said and done, this single recovery led to the discovery of five other luxury vehicles which had also been stolen via fraudulent means from other dealerships. The criminal was taken into custody and arrested.

This California recovery illustrates multiple tactics employed by the Connected Vehicle Thief. The offender used identity theft to steal these vehicles in the first place. He purchased high-end vehicles from dealerships using another person’s personal information, data and credit cards, making it more difficult for authorities to track his activities. Additionally, this thief targeted newer cars, stealing multiple vehicles as part of a luxury vehicle theft ring. Organized crime rings usually leverage more complex schemes (in this case, stealing via identity theft and illegal financing), in order to obtain highly valuable vehicles so they can be cut up for parts, resold or shipped overseas. Vehicle thieves are always looking for new methods and schemes. Law enforcement, consumers and the industry should work together to keep pace.

For more information on LoJack’s recovery stories, be sure to visit our Auto Theft Blog each month, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

[1] National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Vehicle Theft Prevention: What Consumers Should Know,” http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Vehicle-Related+Theft/Theft+Prevention 

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/08/11/lojack-commercial-recovery-month-august/

LoJack Commercial Recovery of the Month: August

Everyone likes to get something extra for their effort.  There’s nothing better than a solid pay-off for hard work. For this month’s notable commercial recoveries of the month, we will feature two cases from the state of Florida in which law enforcement officers received double the reward for their efforts. While the circumstances surrounding each recovery were different, both resulted in the recovery of not one, but two pieces of commercial equipment, exemplifying the value of installing a LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System. The benefits often extend beyond an individual piece of equipment. One of the stories additionally illustrates the frustration that can result from failing to protect all pieces of equipment. These recoveries highlight the advantages of proactive theft prevention tactics and the rewards that can result.

Opa Locka Police Department Tracks One Stolen Generator and Discovers Two

On a recent morning, the operator of a 2013 Doosan 61KW generator arrived at the jobsite after a weekend to find that their piece of construction equipment had gone missing. After police tracked the generator’s LoJack System signal to a warehouse in a nearby town, an Auto Theft Task Force investigator responded to assist in locating the piece of equipment. A subject soon arrived on the scene and unlocked the warehouse, revealing two large towable generators, the first which had been equipped with the LoJack System and had been repainted from its original color, green, to blue. Both generators were recovered by police, and the second generator, a white 2013 Multiquip 70KW, was released to a representative of its owner, a construction equipment rental company. Collectively, the recovery of both generators was valued at approximately $70,000.

LoJack® System Helps Law Enforcement Recover Two Stolen Kenworth T-800 Dump Trucks

The owner of a fleet of dump trucks came to their storage facility early one Saturday morning and discovered the entrance gate had been compromised and that three dump trucks had been stolen. While two of the dump trucks, both Kenworth T-800’s, were equipped with LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery Systems, the third truck, a Peterbilt, was not. Later that morning, police tracked the LoJack System  signals from both trucks and followed them to the parking lot of a fast food restaurant. The Kenworth dump trucks were recovered and released to the owner, while the Peterbilt truck was nowhere to be found. Following the recovery, the owner noted that he planned to have LoJack Systems installed on all of his trucks in the coming week.

For more information on LoJack’s recovery stories, be sure to visit our Auto Theft Blog each month, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/07/07/lojack-urges-consumers-take-action-threat-connected-vehicle-thief/

(PRESS RELEASE) LoJack Urges Consumers to Take Action Against the Threat of the ‘Connected Vehicle Thief’

CANTON, MA and IRVINE, CA — July 7, 2016 – LoJack, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP) and a leader in vehicle theft recovery has launched a campaign as part of National Vehicle Theft Protection Month in July to raise awareness of the Connected Vehicle Thief. With the emergence of sophisticated connected vehicle and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, the nature of auto theft is changing. The FBI’s Preliminary Semiannual Uniform Crime Report showed that auto theft in the first half of 2015 increased compared to the first half of 2014. With more sophisticated vehicles on the road, criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their tactics in order to steal these vehicles.

“Vehicle theft is starting to shift because of advanced techniques introduced by the Connected Vehicle Thief,” said Patrick Clancy, VP of LoJack Law Enforcement. “These criminals are smart, connected and more difficult to impede. They are targeting not only vehicles but also on-board data that once obtained, can be damaging and difficult to recover. This campaign is designed to educate vehicle owners and businesses about the changing nature of auto theft, who the adversaries are and what can be done to remain vigilant so that their lives are not negatively impacted by theft.”

As part of July’s National Vehicle Theft Protection Month, LoJack has released an infographic that provides tips for consumers and profiles the methods and tactics used by the Connected Vehicle Thief, including:

CAR CLONING: Savvy thieves create and install a fake vehicle identification number (VIN), allowing a stolen vehicle to go unnoticed. Hackers then use the stolen VINs to create false new documents, hiding the fact that the underlying vehicle is stolen.

VEHICLE RANSOM: Cybercriminals could leverage ransomware to break into a vehicle, disable the engine and brakes, and demand payment to restore the car to its functional state.

SCANNER BOXES: These are devices that can exploit an electronic system utilized by key fobs. Criminals can then unlock, and even start, a vehicle without even touching the key.

IDENTITY THEFT: Thieves are targeting the data available within the car, including credit card details, location information, Social Security Numbers and drivers license numbers.

LUXURY VEHICLE THEFT RINGS: Organized crime rings target higher value vehicles, which can then be cut up for parts, re-sold or shipped overseas. These theft rings utilize complex schemes, such as copying smart keys and using stolen credit reports to illegally finance vehicles.

To protect against the Connected Vehicle Thief, LoJack recommends the following safety tips:

BE SELECTIVE WITH SENSITIVE DATA: Be aware that personal data stored in your vehicle, such as your credit card information or home address in an on-board GPS system, could be vulnerable to theft.

UPDATE MANUFACTURER SOFTWARE: Download the latest firmware and software upgrades from the vehicle manufacturer as they become available. Ask about updates when visiting the service department of your dealership.

STAY INFORMED OF RECALLS: Stay abreast of vehicle-enabled cyberattacks, and check with your car manufacturer about any security recalls or alerts.

USE THEFT PREVENTION PRODUCTS: Immobilizers and visible, audible warning devices are good deterrents and can provide advanced protection.

INSTALL A TRACKING DEVICE: Consider installing a tracking device operated by law enforcement so that stolen assets have a better chance of being recovered.

KEEP YOUR ASSETS CLOSE: Do not leave smart phones and tablets unattended as they can be used to access more data, putting the owner at even more risk. Use proper safety protocols with ever-increasing keyless ignitions.

PRACTICE COMMON SENSE: Never leave keys in the vehicle with the engine running, don’t hide a spare key in the car, and lock all doors when exiting the vehicle. It seems obvious, but car owners are still victimized by not taking these basic safety precautions.

About CalAmp

CalAmp (NASDAQ: CAMP) is a pure-play pioneer in the connected vehicle and broader Industrial Internet of Things marketplace.  The Company’s extensive portfolio of intelligent communications devices, robust and scalable telematics cloud services, and targeted software applications streamline otherwise complex Machine-to-Machine (M2M) deployments.  These solutions enable customers to optimize their operations by collecting, monitoring and efficiently reporting business-critical data and desired intelligence from high-value mobile and remote assets.  CalAmp is headquartered in Irvine, California and has been publicly traded since 1983. For more information, please visit www.calamp.com.

For more information, visit www.lojack.com, www.autotheftblog.com, www.youtube.com/lojack, www.twitter.com/LoJackCorp or www.Facebook.com/LoJackCorp.

CalAmp and the arc logo are among the trademarks of CalAmp and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

AT THE COMPANY: Garo Sarkissian SVP of Corporate Development [phone]

AT NMN Advisors: Nicole Noutsios General Information [phone] [email protected]

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/25/lojack-system-helps-albuquerque-police-department-recover-stolen-chevrolet-corvette-z06/

LoJack® System Helps Albuquerque Police Department Recover a Stolen Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The owner of a 2016 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 was out of town and his son stopped by to check on the residence when he found it had been burglarized. The son also found that his dad’s Corvette was stolen from the garage. The son called the Albuquerque Police Department to report the residential burglary and the stolen Corvette. The Albuquerque PD 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.

Approximately 35 minutes after the activation, a vehicle equipped with a LoJack Police Tracking Computer picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Corvette. Following the audible and directional cues from the PTC, the Corvette was tracked and found in an apartment complex parking lot. Officers with the Albuquerque PD observed the Corvette backed into a covered parking space and unoccupied. The Corvette was subsequently towed for safekeeping to be returned to the owner when he returns to town.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 in September 2015 at Galles Chevrolet in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/18/lojack-releases-seventh-annual-vehicle-theft-recovery-report/

LoJack Releases Seventh Annual Vehicle Theft Recovery Report

Today, LoJack and CalAmp are pleased to announce the release of our seventh annual Vehicle Theft Recovery Report for 2015.* We announced the data with a news release and accompanying infographic this morning.

As evident by analyzing the data, the auto theft market is changing. If you are a regular reader of this blog, you’re probably aware of the “Connected Vehicle Thief” Era. This is an era in which auto thefts are increasingly being perpetrated by a smarter thief using more advanced tactics, often connected to a large auto theft ring. The connected vehicle thief increasingly targets high-end vehicles that can be sold in the international black market. Tactics such as use of mystery devices to unlock vehicles, carjacking and vehicle cloning are now widespread.

Key statistics in the seventh installment of the LoJack Vehicle Theft Recovery Report include:

Law enforcement officials recovered more than $112 million in stolen vehicles equipped with the LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System in 2015.

Among the top models valued over $30,000 which were stolen and recovered in 2015 were the Ford F-Series of pickup trucks and the Land Rover Range Rover, both vehicles which can be exported for a lucrative profit in foreign markets, especially in countries where those models aren’t available.

Continuing a trend from past years, five of the top six most stolen and recovered models were Honda, Toyota and Nissan sedans. As Japanese brands have become more popular and parts and supplies more readily available globally, today’s connected car thief has found continued demand for those models and their parts.

As Pat Clancy, Vice President of Law Enforcement for LoJack, noted in today’s press release: “Our vehicles have become an extension of our digitally-enabled lives and carry sensitive personal information about us. Each time a vehicle is stolen, it impacts the owner far beyond the loss of property.”

Fortunately, law enforcement officials, partnering with LoJack, are getting even smarter and more effective at recovering stolen vehicles, minimizing the potential damage to owners. More than 90 percent of vehicles equipped with the LoJack System were recovered in 2015.

For more examples of how law enforcement agencies are contending with today’s connected thief, be sure to visit our Auto Theft Blog each month, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

*All recovery data is derived from both 2015 LoJack Recovery Data taken from internal sources.  The 2014 LoJack Vehicle Theft Recovery Report is gathered from data provided by 28 states via Nlets as well as California law enforcement, and is specific to stolen cars, trucks and SUVs equipped with a LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery System that were recovered from January to December 2015.  Used car values are best estimates derived from NADA Guide web services values and clean retail value from NADAGuides.com for the make, model and year of the vehicle in the month that it was recovered.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/12/lojack-system-helps-utah-highway-patrol-salt-lake-city-police-department-recover-stolen-honda-civic/

LoJack® System Helps Utah Highway Patrol and Salt Lake City Police Department Recover Stolen Honda Civic

The owners of a Honda Civic contacted the Salt Lake City Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen.

A police officer verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the Honda.

Later in the day troopers with the Utah Highway Patrol picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Honda with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTCs) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft.

Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the troopers tracked the Honda to the area of 300 West and 700 North in Salt Lake City.  There they were joined by officers from the Salt Lake City PD.

The thieves had attempted to conceal the purple Civic with some boards and brush that they piled around the car; an indication that they may have been considering returning to the Civic later for further use.

The Civic was recovered undamaged before it could be stripped or used in other crimes and returned to the very happy owners.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Honda Civic in June 2008 at Findlay Volkswagen in Henderson, Nevada.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/12/lojack-stockton-police-department-team-launch-auto-theft-prevention-campaign-lodown-lojack-californias-central-valley/

LoJack and Stockton Police Department Team Up to Launch Auto Theft Prevention Campaign, “LoDown with LoJack” in California’s Central Valley

The team at LoJack is pleased to announce the launch of an ongoing educational campaign to reduce vehicle theft throughout the country. The inaugural campaign is a three-part video series throughout California’s Central Valley called, “LoDown with LoJack: The Central Valley,” featuring insight from members of the Stockton Police Department and LoJack’s Law Enforcement Liaison team. The video series underscores the challenges associated with a new era of vehicle theft, which continues to be a significant issue in communities throughout California.

The “LoDown with LoJack: The Central Valley” video series illustrates how law enforcement in the region is working within the local community to address the challenges associated with high rates of vehicle theft and mitigate the problem. It also provides simple tips to help owners protect their vehicles.

“Auto theft is still an issue in our community,” said Eric Jones, Stockton Police Chief.  “Our goal is to continue to work with our collaborative law enforcement partners and use technology, along with education, to help reduce auto theft in the area.”

The “LoDown with LoJack: The Central Valley” video series includes:

Chapter One: The Situation: Focuses on the history of auto theft in the Central Valley and the impact theft has on local communities and vehicle owners in California.

Chapter Two: Preventing Auto Theft: Illustrates the myriad of ways thieves are targeting vehicles in the Central Valley and includes educational tips to prevent from becoming a victim of auto theft from experts on the Stockton Police Department.

Chapter Three: The Law Enforcement Tool: Highlights how local law enforcement like the Stockton Police Department is utilizing LoJack’s technology to help combat auto theft in the Central Valley.

To follow the “LoDown with LoJack” series, subscribe to LoJack’s YouTube channel.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/10/lojack-commemorates-200k-recovery-milestone-lapd-galpin-motor-group-two-long-time-partners-prevention-vehicle-theft/

LoJack Commemorates 200k Recovery Milestone with the LAPD and the Galpin Motor Group; Two Long-Time Partners in the Prevention of Vehicle Theft

On March 30, LoJack announced that the company officially recovered more than 200,000 vehicles in the United States. To celebrate the historic achievement, LoJack honored the Los Angeles Police Department at an event on March 30th at Galpin Motors in North Hills, CA.

The milestone was highlighted by the recovery of a 2015 Ford Escape on January 12th, 2016. Stolen from a residence in West Los Angeles, the vehicle was equipped with a LoJack® Stolen Vehicle Recovery Unit that was pre-installed by Galpin Motors. It was tracked and recovered by the LAPD in just 17 minutes and returned to its owner. At the event, LoJack commended the efforts of key members of the Los Angeles Police Department for leading the charge against auto theft.

“Our number one goal is to help citizens get their assets back and for their life to return to normal. We do not want the fear of auto theft to impact their lives,” said Detective Lynet Popper from the Los Angeles Police Department. “We want to thank the Galpin Motor Group and LoJack for keeping officer safety in mind and providing an invaluable tool that helps us recover stolen property each day.”

LoJack was founded to help law enforcement agencies track and recover stolen vehicles, while making officer safety a top priority. With the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System, officers are able to quickly track and recover stolen assets – reducing the impact that theft has on businesses, commercial entities and consumers. The company has made tremendous strides in aiding police officers and helping them recover stolen vehicles, but today is dealing with the challenges presented by a more sophisticated and connected vehicle thief. In fact, preliminary FBI data for 2015 shows an increase in theft from previous years.

As LoJack celebrates this milestone, the company is reminded that auto theft is changing and there is a great need to continue to innovate and adapt technology to contend with advanced thieves.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/05/03/car-cloners-create-fake-vins-hide-stolen-vehicles/

Car Cloners Create Fake VINs to Hide Stolen Vehicles

More than 1,000 cars, including a set of luxury vehicles in Maryland and Virginia, have been stolen by suspected “car cloners” in the past six years, according to a review of FBI and police reports by the News4 I-Team.

“Car cloning” is a profitable and sophisticated form of car theft in which thieves mask the identity of a stolen vehicle by creating and installing a bogus vehicle identification number (VIN) on to the car. The fake VIN masks the true identity of the vehicle, allowing thieves to hide the car in plain sight and resell it for a large profit to unsuspecting buyers.

An investigation by the I-Team found a series of recent car cloning cases in the Washington, D.C., area. In one case, I-Team cameras recorded the takedown of a suspected car thief in Forestville, Maryland. Police with the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Unit found three stolen, luxury cars outside the home of the suspect. Each of the cars displayed a fraudulent VIN, according to police investigators.

One of the seized cars, a white Chevrolet Corvette, recently was stolen from a Fredericksburg, Virginia, car dealership, according to police reports and surveillance footage obtained by the I-Team.

“Everybody we’re dealing with in these VIN cloning operations are for-profit thieves,” National Insurance Crime Bureau investigator Tom Reich said. “They aren’t just stealing a car to get from one place to another.”

The proceeds from car cloning and VIN fraud can be funneled into criminal enterprises, according to the I-Team’s review. The resale of stolen vehicles helped fund a major Maryland racketeering ring called Simple City, according to the Washington Area Vehicle Enforcement Unit, which helped investigate the crime ring. Members of Simple City pleaded guilty last year. The organization was suspected of more than $5 million in crimes.

A review of Maryland court records shows more than 140 cases of altered or forged serial numbers in 2015, including from automobiles.

“(Cars) can be re-vinned on different machines or by hand,” Prince George’s County Police Lt. David Coleman said. “(Some criminals) automate it. As many ways as you and I can think up, it’s probably been done.”

Reported by Scott MacFarlane, produced by Rick Yarborough, and shot and edited by Steve Jones.

SOURCE: http://www.nbcwashington.com/investigations/Car-Cloners-Create-Fake-VINs-to-Hide-Stolen-Vehicles-377892791.html

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/04/26/lojack-launches-recovery-month-series/

LoJack Launches “Recovery of the Month” Series

Our Auto Theft Blog has been a longstanding source of LoJack’s success stories, showcasing recent cases where a vehicle was located and returned with the help of LoJack and local law enforcement. To better spotlight important recoveries, we’re proud to announce our new blog series: LoJack’s Recovery of the Month.

Each Recovery of the Month post will include a top Vehicle and Commercial Recovery, as we are dedicated to returning both stolen vehicles and equipment to owners who need them for everyday activities, from working to driving family members to and from school. Each month, specific recoveries are selected that point to larger trends that LoJack and law enforcement officials have recently noticed, to help educate and inform consumers on vehicle theft prevention.

This month, we have identified two recoveries that illustrate two emerging trends in vehicle theft:

Identity theft as a means to vehicle theft is gaining popularity nationwide

Trailer theft rates in Colorado have reached “epidemic” levels.

Vehicle Recovery of the Month: Eastern European Crime Ring Cracked with Help Using the LoJack®  System

Recently, the Los Angeles-based owner of a brand new 2016 Dodge Ram 1500 found himself in a bit of a bind – his vehicle had been stolen, by means of identity theft! Thankfully, LoJack Police Tracking Computers were able to pick up the signal in under half an hour and track the vehicle to a service station, where police found the male suspect still inside the stolen truck. After the suspect was arrested, officers examined the vehicle, only to find large, extra fuel tanks built into the frame designed for stealing fuel from service stations. Further investigation concluded the incident was part of a larger organized crime ring, based in Eastern Europe. Police have confirmed that the suspect had used another person’s identification to purchase the vehicle, pointing to the fact that identity theft is emerging as a serious threat and a new way to steal vehicles nationwide.

Commercial Recovery of the Month: This Trailer Thief Left a Trail

Trailer thefts can be significant losses for their owners, and recently in Colorado, this 2015 Diamond-T construction trailer was no exception. After the LoJack unit’s signal was activated, police found the trailer in a secluded area near a “horse property,” concealed under a tarp. In addition to the Diamond-T trailer, two additional pieces of stolen property were recovered, including a Bobcat skid-steer loader and a PJ construction trailer. The combined value of the recovered vehicles was estimated at $23,000.

For more information on LoJack’s recovery stories, be sure to visit our Auto Theft Blog each month, and ‘Like’ us on Facebook.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/04/14/video-lojack-system-helps-los-angeles-county-sheriffs-department-trap-recover-stolen-2016-john-deere/

(VIDEO) LoJack® System Helps Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department TRAP Recover Stolen 2016 John Deere

The owners of a 2016 John Deere 310L contacted the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Palmdale Station to report that their John Deere Backhoe was stolen from a job site.

The LASD verified the theft and entered the vehicle information into the state and federal crime computers which automatically activated the LoJack® System concealed in the John Deere Backhoe.

Detectives from TRAP (Task Force for Regional Auto theft Prevention) were notified of the theft. The detectives responded to the last known address where the John Deere Backhoe was parked. The detectives picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen John Deere with the portable LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are assigned to their detail. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the detectives tracked the stolen backhoe to the area of the 9800 block of S-6 Street in the city of Littlerock. The detectives were able to observe the stolen Backhoe in the rear yard of a private residence.  The backhoe was covered with a tarp, brush, trees, mud and the Sunbelt emblems were removed to disguise it from any airship.  The detectives conducted an investigation at the location and made contact with the occupants of the residence, who then notified the suspect to return to the location.  The suspect was observed walking up to the residence and was taken into custody for auto theft related charges without incident.  The suspect admitted to taking the Backhoe and driving it to his residence.

The John Deere Backhoe was released to the owner.

    The LoJack® System was installed in the John Deere in October 2015 at Commercial Sales in Dubuque, Iowa.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/04/12/lojack-system-helps-phoenix-police-department-recover-stolen-chrysler-300/

LoJack® System Helps Phoenix Police Department Recover Stolen Chrysler 300

The owners of a 2006 Chrysler 300 contacted the Phoenix Police Department to report that their vehicle had been stolen again from the parking lot of an apartment complex. This same owner reported the Chrysler 300 stolen nine months ago from this same location. During the previous theft, the keys were in the Chrysler and they were not found during the vehicle recovery. The 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 Chrysler.

Five minutes later a detective from the Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force picked up the silent LoJack signal from the stolen Chrysler with the LoJack Police Tracking Computers (PTC) that are installed in patrol vehicles and aircraft. Following the directional and audible cues from the PTC, the detective tracked the Chrysler to Interstate 10 near 35th Avenue. The task force detective lost the LoJack signal while trying to exit the freeway and get turned around.

A few minutes later officers from the Phoenix PD picked up the LoJack signal in the area of 19th Avenue and Camelback Road. An auto theft detective from the Phoenix PD tracked and located the stolen Chrysler parked on the side of 11th Avenue south of Camelback Road. The detective observed two male suspects near the Chrysler and walking away from the area. Surveillance was established and the two male subjects were observed returning to the stolen Chrysler carrying a gas can. As the suspects were pouring the gas into the stolen Chrysler, the detectives moved in and took both male juvenile suspects into custody without incident. One of the suspects had the missing key from the previous theft in his possession.

The Chrysler was recovered in good condition and returned to the owner again.

The LoJack® System was installed in the Chrysler 300 in October 2006 at Bill Luke Dodge in Phoenix, Arizona.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/03/31/lojack-system-helps-los-angeles-sheriffs-department-recover-stolen-chevrolet-corvette/

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

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.

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New Post has been published on LoJack Success Stories Blog - Auto Theft Blog

New Post has been published on http://www.autotheftblog.com/2016/03/08/introducing-pass-protect-serve-stories-campaign/

Introducing the #PASS (Protect And Serve Stories) Campaign

By Patrick Clancy, LoJack’s Vice President of Law Enforcement

For nearly 30 years, LoJack has partnered with law enforcement organizations across the country, doing everything we can to help them find and recover stolen vehicles, which often leads to the arrest of criminals who put communities at risk. LoJack was founded on the principles of protecting law enforcement officers and our communities against criminal activity surrounding stolen vehicles, and as a result, I’d like to introduce an important initiative that aligns with this mission: #PASS.

The #PASS, or Protect And Serve Stories, campaign is designed to recognize members of law enforcement whose small, thoughtful good deeds are impacting and improving the communities they serve and protect. These acts of kindness performed by officers – which generally do not make news headlines, yet deserve to be recognized and praised – are shared on my Twitter feed: @PWClancy. To amplify these efforts, LoJack is also sharing #PASS content on the company’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram properties.

The #PASS campaign is a concerted effort by LoJack to spotlight the many simple and selfless deeds that our partners in law enforcement perform on a daily basis across the country. From helping lost dogs return to their grateful owners, organizing a parade for an ill child in need of a smile, or personally purchasing food and clothing for families in need, these are the positive stories we hope receive the recognition they deserve.

If you’re on social media, I encourage you to follow my Twitter handle where I recognize a few of the many various acts of kindness performed everyday by officers across the country. I also hope you consider sharing these great stories, or perhaps give a hat tip to some of your local law enforcement professionals who work day and night to make a difference in our communities.

For more information on #PASS, or to get involved in the initiative, please visit LoJack’s Facebook or Instagram page and my Twitter feed: @PWClancy. We hope the content will encourage social media users to follow and share the good news via a retweet or mention using #PASS, to highlight the positive acts that our partners in law enforcement do for their communities each and every day.