LoJack Helps Police Make Arrests - KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Santa Maria police have arrested several people they say may be responsible for a string of home burglaries and car thefts on the Central Coast.  They located the thieves through an electronic car theft prevention device called a Lo Jack. The device led Santa Maria police to a Motel Six and led ultimately the arrest of eight suspects.

"The vehicle thefts were part of a burglary ring where some residences were entered into and the car keys were obviously obtained as part of the burglary into the home," said Lieutenant Norman Come of the Santa Maria Police.  

Police have recovered four reported stolen vehicles so far. One was found parked at the Motel Six in Santa Maria where the suspects were believed to be staying - and by using Lo Jack technology, police were able to find the car and eventually find the suspects.

Investigators are working with other law enforcement agencies across the Central Coast to see if they can connect the suspects to other unsolved burglaries and car thefts.

Police say the installation of the LoJack system into one of the stolen cars led them to the suspects.  Once a LoJack is activated, the vehicle will signal police units that also "Lo Jack" devices installed into their vehicles. The LoJack uses a low-range frequency for tracking, but similar products are relying on using GPS technology to track stolen vehicles.