Yesterday, LoJack released information regarding its participation with U.S. and Canadian law enforcement in their international crime ring investigation, Project Windows.
The operation included collaborative efforts between Canadian Law Enforcement, United States Homeland Security, and Canadian Border Services, who each played a key role in tracking a group of highly skilled criminals in an organized crime ring who were responsible for stealing more than $5.4 million in vehicles.
The criminals stole from high-end vehicle dealerships in Canada using falsified documents and fraudulent identities. They transported them across the border to Newark, New Jersey, and Maryland, as well as other U.S. ports. The criminals then shipped the vehicles overseas to Nigeria and Ghana.
The criminals stole a total of 124 high-end vehicles, including models from manufacturers such as BMW, Mercedes, Acura, Honda, and Range Rover.
The York Regional Police enlisted LoJack’s Canadian Law Enforcement Team to assist them soon after the investigation started. LoJack provided several vehicle-tracking devices that were covertly placed inside some of the stolen vehicles and vehicles that were utilized for criminal activities. The devices helped investigators gather intelligence on the suspects and their accomplices, follow the trails of stolen vehicles, establish or confirm their plans, and gather evidence against the thieves. LoJack’s efforts contributed to the recovery of 89 vehicles worth an estimated recovery value of $3.2 million.
“These highly trained thieves were employing sophisticated methods to purchase and transport vehicles across borders and overseas, which meant that tracking their every move was essential in making the bust,” said Randy Ortiz, CEO and President of LoJack. “LoJack partnered with law enforcement to supply intelligence on where and when a planted vehicle was moved. This allowed investigators to trail the stolen vehicles, recover the assets and build a case that eventually led to the arrests.”
“Today’s thieves are sophisticated and dangerous criminals capable of stealing millions of dollars in assets,” added Ortiz. “We are extremely proud to have contributed to the success of this major investigation, which resulted in the arrest of 16 suspects with more than 236 charges pending.”
For information on LoJack’s involvement with Project Windows, visit http://www.yrp.ca
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