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LoJack Records Milestone 100th 'Chop Shop' Bust Assist

24 February 1999

LoJack Records Milestone 100th 'Chop Shop' Bust Assist with Southern California Law Enforcement Officials

              Company Encourages Citizens To Be 'Eyes and Ears'

    LOS ANGELES, Feb. 23 -- LoJack Corp., a leader in electronic
stolen vehicle recovery technology, has aided Southern California law
enforcement officials in busting a chop shop for the 100th time since the
LoJack system came on line.
    A 1995 Jeep Wrangler hardtop was reported stolen from West Hollywood and
tracked to the 3900 block of Arlington St. in Los Angeles, where officials
from the Los Angeles County Task Force for Regional Auto Theft Prevention
(TRAP) discovered two adults removing the top.  The two suspects were
immediately placed in custody.
    One of the suspects claimed to be a minor and gave an address for TRAP
officials to contact and verify that information.  Upon arriving at the given
address, a residence on the 2500 block of Exposition Place, parts to more than
100 cars were found.
    Since becoming operational in Los Angeles County in July of 1990, LoJack's
efforts in aiding police in the busting of "chop shops" has led to more than
$10 million worth of property being recovered.
    A "chop shop" is defined by TRAP as an organized criminal infrastructure
that steals, hides, and strips the vehicle, "chops" the frame, and at times,
alters the vehicle with an entirely new and legitimate identity.  Many of
these operations are conducted in a "backroom" setting behind legitimate
business fronts or the neighbor's house.
    The top five vehicles recovered by police in the 100 Los Angeles County
"chop shop" busts are the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Honda Civic (and CRX),
Toyota Pickup 4X2, and Acura Integra.
    "It's great to see that LoJack has made such an impact in combating auto
theft," said LoJack General Manager John Raber.  "We look forward to continued
success in our efforts with law enforcement agencies."
    In an effort to continue to aid law enforcement in future busts, LoJack,
in conjunction with police and sheriff's agencies, has developed a list of
ways for consumers to identify "chop shops."  The public can impact the highly
mobile, easily accomplished crime of vehicle theft as well as "chop shops" by
being the eyes and ears of law enforcement.

    Consumers can locate a "chop shop" from the following tell-tale signs:

    1.  Vehicles being brought into a business or residence at all hours of
        the day and night.
    2.  The attempt to conceal the activities of operating a "chop shop" such
        as windows being covered or tinted.
    3.  The sight of a person(s) selling vehicles out of a business or
        residence where vehicles aren't normally sold.
    4.  The dismantling of vehicles at all hours.
    5.  The sight of numerous car parts being moved in and out of a business
        or residence.

    In the event that the public suspects a "chop shop" operation, they are
encouraged to contact the local police or sheriff's department.  The patrol
officer, who is trained to investigate these types of operations, will respond
and investigate.  If a "chop shop" is located, investigators will react and
shut the operation down.  With the help of the public, vehicle theft can be
impacted resulting in the reduction of "chop shop" operations.
    LoJack, a Massachusetts-based publicly-held company, has recovered more
than 29,000 vehicles, with a national recovery rate of more than 90 percent.
Consumers can purchase the LoJack Stolen Vehicle Recovery System for $595 --
there is no monthly service fee.  LoJack is available from most new car
dealers and directly from LoJack of California.  The LoJack Stolen Vehicle
Recovery Network first became operational in Massachusetts in 1986, and now
includes systems in 17 states, the District of Columbia and 14 countries.  For
more information, contact LoJack of California at (800) 929-2000 or visit the
Web site at http://www.lojack.com.