One Follow-Up Call. One Stolen Durango. Found in Juárez.

An El Paso PD Auto Theft Unit detective learned a stolen 2020 Dodge Durango had LoJack. One call to a LoJack Law Enforcement Liaison later, investigators knew it was in Juárez, Chihuahua.

The Report

The owner of a 2020 Dodge Durango, with an estimated fair market value of approximately $23,000, reported the vehicle stolen to the El Paso Police Department in Texas.

The Follow-Up

Then came the part of police work that rarely makes headlines: follow-up. An El Paso PD Auto Theft Unit detective working the case determined the Durango was equipped with LoJack and contacted a LoJack Law Enforcement Liaison for assistance.

The answer came back fast. Through LoJack’s stolen vehicle recovery system, the Liaison confirmed the Durango was actively transmitting location information. It was in Juárez, Chihuahua, Mexico.

The Search Area Shrinks

The stolen Durango was immediately entered into the LoJack Law Enforcement Application, so recovery efforts could begin without delay. Using real-time vehicle tracking information from LoJack, investigators quickly narrowed the search area and provided actionable intelligence to partner agencies.

Two Sides of the Border

With the vehicle across an international border, the El Paso PD ATU coordinated with Mexican law enforcement authorities and shared the vehicle’s location data. Border-region theft investigations depend on that kind of cooperation, because stolen vehicles are frequently moved between jurisdictions in an attempt to evade detection.

Working together on both sides of the border, U.S. and Mexican law enforcement officers located the stolen Durango. Mexican authorities recovered the vehicle and secured it pending repatriation to its rightful owner.

No Pursuit Required

No chase. No guesswork. Just a location and a plan.

This recovery did not rely on patrol sightings or vehicle pursuits. Investigators used precise location information to guide the operation. By providing timely intelligence, LoJack helped law enforcement focus resources efficiently, reduce the likelihood of unnecessary vehicle pursuits, and support a coordinated recovery. The result was the safe recovery of a stolen Durango while minimizing risk to officers and the public.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR DEALERS

This Durango was worth approximately $23,000, and it still got the full cross-border recovery effort. LoJack protects the everyday unit as seriously as the high-dollar one.

• Protect every unit, not just the flagships. LoJack dealers can preload vehicles with up to $10,000 coverage per vehicle (may vary by state).
• Know when vehicles move when they shouldn’t. LoJack Lot Management sends after-hours alerts for unauthorized vehicle movement while the store is closed.
• Border-region stores face a specific risk. Stolen vehicles near the border are frequently moved between jurisdictions, and a vehicle that keeps reporting its location gives investigators a way to follow. See how dealer vehicle recovery works.

WHY IT MATTERS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT

The case turned on one question during follow-up: does this vehicle have LoJack?

• Ask early. A LoJack Law Enforcement Liaison can confirm whether a stolen vehicle is equipped and transmitting, then get it into LoJack LE without delay. Liaisons can be reached at 1-877-563-0032.
• Location-led recoveries reduce the need for pursuits and help protect officers and the public.
• LoJack LE is free for law enforcement. Read The Force Multiplier for how it supports understaffed auto-theft units and cross-border cases.

Technology, strong partnerships, and international cooperation got this Durango past a jurisdictional wall and on its way home.

ABOUT LOJACK

LoJack is the only stolen vehicle recovery system directly integrated with law enforcement. Through the free LoJack LE app, more than 17,000 law enforcement agencies and agents can see live GPS location on LoJack-equipped stolen vehicles, supported by LoJack Law Enforcement Liaisons and a 24/7 command center. LoJack is part of Solera Dealer Solutions. Read more recovery stories on the LoJack blog.