LoJack Helps Georgia Sheriff’s Department Recover $1.5 Million in Stolen Equipment
The only sure cure for having something stolen is its speedy and safe return. LoJack, the makers of the world’s most popular stolen vehicle recovery system, understands how important “return of investment” is to its customers (many of which are equipment contractors).
A great example: The LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System was installed on a 1994 Caterpillar D8, which eventually helped George Sheriff’s Department bust the largest theft ring for LoJack in the state, recovering an estimated $1.5 million in stolen equipment.
Here’s how the story unfolded. On Tuesday, May 18, the manager of a construction site found that someone had stolen his 1994 Caterpillar D8, which had been parked on site. After the manager alerted his office of the theft, a police report was made with the Spaulding County Sheriffs Department. Once the Sheriff’s Department entered the stolen bulldozer’s information into the NCIC computer, the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System covertly hidden in the heavy equipment was automatically activated.
While on routine patrol, officers with the Fayette County Sheriff Department’s helicopter unit began picking up the LoJack signal emitting from the stolen bulldozer. Less than two hours after the LoJack was activated, the stolen equipment was tracked to an address in Brooks, Ga., a rural area of Fayette County. Patrol units on the ground converged on the location and arrested four men, who were in process of dismantling the Caterpillar.
All four men were charged with several counts of theft. In addition to recovering the stolen Caterpillar, the Sheriff’s Department identified several other pieces of heavy equipment and parts, most of which were reported stolen out of Alabama and Georgia. The Sheriff’s Department said some of the equipment was being sold to people living out of state, while other equipment was being taken to local scrap yards and sold. More charges are pending and the case is still under investigation by the Fayette County Sheriffs Department and the District Attorney’s office. 
