400th Chop Shop in Southern California Foiled By LoJack

LONG BEACH, Calif., Feb. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Within three minutes of activation, Long Beach, CA Police Department officers and detectives began receiving a silent LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System signal, which enabled them to track and recover a stolen 2001 Acura Integra.  Little did police know at the time that the Integra, which was covered and parked behind several other vehicles, would lead to the bust of the milestone 400th chop shop in Southern California due to LoJack Corporation's (Nasdaq: LOJN) Stolen Vehicle Recovery Systems.

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"We'd like to take this opportunity to recognize not only the Long Beach Police Department, but all the law enforcement agencies and officers in Southern California for their tireless work in curbing vehicle theft," said Patrick Clancy, Vice President of Law Enforcement, LoJack Corporation.  "Since becoming operational in Los Angeles County in July of 1990, LoJack is proud to have played a part in helping Southern California law enforcement eliminate 400 chop shops and arrest the criminals behind these illegal operations. This bust is especially gratifying, as we helped lead Long Beach Police to the arrest of 7 suspects."

About the Recovery

On January 20, 2011, an Acura Integra was reported stolen.  Three minutes after the LoJack system was activated, officers and detectives picked up a signal from their Police Tracking Computers and followed it to a residential yard where they observed the vehicle hidden.  The detectives obtained a search warrant for the location and their investigation recovered the stolen Integra along with parts to two other stolen vehicles.  They identified two suspects, whom they charged with operating a chop shop.  

Through the recovery of the Integra, detectives discovered clues that led them to two other chop shops—and several other suspects.  From there, they found four additional locations that had also been stripping vehicles.  Detectives were able to connect all the suspects, who were members of a street racing crew that conspired to steal and strip vehicles for profit.  So far, detectives have recovered 7 stolen cars—mostly Acuras and Hondas— a stolen motorcycle, parts and accessories to several stolen cars, and arrested 7 suspects in several Southern California counties.

"Our direct integration with law enforcement is one of the key factors that make the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System so effective," continued Clancy.  "The fact that the System is covert, so that thieves cannot easily find and disengage it; and that it uses Radio Frequency technology, which enables the vehicle to be tracked even if it is in hidden in areas that obstruct GPS and/or cellular signals; are the other essential ingredients to help keep a vehicle protected in the event that it is stolen."

About LoJack Corporation

LoJack Corporation, the company that invented the stolen vehicle recovery market more than two decades ago, is the global leader in finding and recovering a wide range of mobile assets including cars, construction equipment and motorcycles—having recovered more than $5 billion USD in stolen assets worldwide.   In today's rapidly changing world, LoJack's core competencies are more valuable and more relevant than ever as they are now being applied into new areas, such as the prevention, detection and recovery of stolen cargo and finding and rescuing people with cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's and autism. LoJack has the proven processes, ultimate technology for recovery—Radio Frequency—and unique integration with law enforcement agencies, making its offerings the most effective solutions that not only deliver a wide range of recoveries, but also enhance the safety of the public on a global level.  LoJack's Stolen Vehicle Recovery System operates in 28 states and the District of Columbia, and in more than 30 countries throughout North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.  For more information, visit www.lojack.com, www.twitter.com/LoJackCorp or www.Facebook.com/LoJackCorp.

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Patrick Clancy

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SOURCE LoJack Corporation