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Company Vehicle Theft Prevented with GPS Tracking

April 3rd, 2013

Earlier this year, police in El Mirage, Arizona, arrested 3 males involved in the theft of a company vehicle. The offenders were determined to hold onto the car too; it took tear gas and a SWAT team to flush them out of the residence in which they’d holed themselves up. But the vehicle was recovered, thanks to a GPS monitoring device previously installed by the proprietors of the company and tracked directly to the thieves, who were immediately charged with the crime and taken to jail.

A possible reason for the criminals’ swiping the car? Besides theft of the vehicle, at least one of them was connected with a chop shop. Whether the company vehicle itself was intended to be dismantled for parts or to carry other illegally gained car parts, scrap metal, and other equipment was not reported, but both goals are two of the most common reasons for vehicle theft from companies. Since it doesn’t take long to make a stolen car “disappear,” the GPS device may well have made the difference between recovering the vehicle or losing it for good.

GPS Tracking as a Deterrent to Misuse of Company Vehicles

Even when a company owns only a few vehicles, GPS tracking is an indispensable tool in preventing theft. Beyond outright theft, electronic monitoring enables owners and managers to know exactly what employees are doing in their vehicles when off property or on the job. Tracking equipment signals can report back most commonly via mobile device app or online software accounts the current location and direction of the vehicle at any given time. If drivers with a preset route deviate off course, supervisors will know about it, discouraging company vehicle use for unauthorized stops or for work other than with the company that owns it. For some businesses, speed and driving safety are of concern. GPS tracking can relay that too—the driver’s varying velocity at any coordinate—to deter breaking legal speed limits.

In addition to tracking the vehicle itself, GPS monitoring can be used to prevent taking company equipment. For long-haul companies transporting expensive items like big appliances, computers, tablets, or other electronic devices (or even carrying new automobiles themselves), GPS tracking of company goods is quickly gaining a reputation as being worth the cost and effort.

Texas Truck Thief Busted Thanks to GPS

October 8th, 2012

Yet again, another criminal is caught red handed stealing a vehicle with the help of a GPS device. It is unclear when thieves will learn that this use of modern technology always adds up to jail time. They must not pay attention to the news – the use of GPS device to track down criminals is very commonplace these days.

This time, a Corpus Christi car dealership, Lithia Dodge was the target. Wayne Lytle, the dealership’s general manager, had noticed a lock box was stolen off the truck that was eventually stolen itself the very next day. CCPD had the idea to install a GPS device when investigating the theft of the lock box, and sure enough, their hunch paid off.

George Ortiz stole the truck the following morning, and police successfully located him thanks to the GPS device. A chase ensued, culminating in his arrest after pulling into the parking lot of a gun shop and attempting to escape on bicycle, which was in the bed of the truck. He was arrested for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest.

Lytle was thrilled it worked out, stating the GPS tracking device made it easy to assure his property was returned to him. When he got the call the truck was being stolen, he said “I was actually pretty elated because I want to try and put an end to this. What happened was exactly what we wanted to happen.” Despite his confidence in the device and the fact Ortiz was caught, he knows this is just the beginning. Lytle is certain car thieves will always be a problem “I don’t think it will ever end.”

Lytle has upgraded the dealership’s security system by adding more security cameras, as well as installing GPS devices on every new car. He has also ensured his employees are watching vigilantly for any suspicious behavior displayed by patrons.

Police believe Ortiz is part of a bigger gang of car thieves, and they are allegedly linked to the theft of five different trucks since June. It is thought the thieves end up selling the trucks’ parts or stash them in Mexico. More arrests are in the works.

Should Your Navigation Device Include GPS Tracking?

September 14th, 2012

Why would anyone steal a GPS tracking device? It could, after all, lead the police right to him. He wouldn’t—unless he didn’t know it was there. Now, they may be useful in recovering your stolen GPS navigation system.

Galesburg, Illinois recently experienced a string of vehicle break-ins which resulted in the theft of four GPS devices. GPS navigation units typically only work one way, meaning they can receive location data, but cannot transmit their own location. However, thefts such as these may create greater demand for navigation devices to include the same technology that helps you recover a lost cell phone. Industry experts say that there wasn’t initially a lot of demand for GPS tracking connectivity to be included in your Garmin because thefts were rare and a tracking service required an extra monthly fee. Privacy issues were also a concern. However, as the economy has continued its slump, electronic thefts have risen, including thefts of GPS navigation devices.

Benefits of enabling two-way connectivity in your GPS navigation device include the ability to track a car without the driver’s knowledge (helpful if your car is stolen) and the potential that thefts of the devices would be discouraged across the board if thieves know they may be tracked. In addition, a tracking device can point the way for law enforcement officers as they seek to recover stolen items.

Even if you choose a GPS navigation device that does not include tracking capabilities, you can still deter theft by equipping your car with a GPS tracking device for relatively little cost. Police say the devices provide valuable assistance in finding and recovering stolen vehicles, an endeavor that can take weeks or months if the car does not contain a tracker. Many cities have even employed “bait vehicles” to help law enforcement officers identify auto theft rings, leaving desirable cars in remote locations and then following the tracking signals once the car has been stolen.

GPS tracking has become an essential piece of equipment for ensuring peace of mind when it comes to protecting your most valuable assets. When coupled with other smart moves like locking your car, parking inside a garage, and installing anti-theft devices, it can protect not only your navigation system, but also your vehicle itself.

Using GPS to Recover Stolen Property

August 9th, 2012

Nothing sickens the heart as realizing that something has been stolen from you. In this modern age of technology, however, you do not have to feel so helpless. GPS tracking has long been used to recover vehicles and cell phones, but many may not realize that this same technology can be used to track computers, personal belongings, and even pets.

Cell Phones
Stolen cell phones accounts for 30-40 percent of all robberies in America with higher percentages in big cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. With all the apps and features of the modern smart phone, it is no wonder they are a prime target for thieves, especially if that thief can gain personal information about the phone’s owner. This is not just an American problem either; it is worldwide. In fact, the United Kingdom reported that 228 phones were stolen every hour last year. Cell phone carriers are now working together to help block the use of stolen phones that are reported, but that does not help recover the items. However, most phones come standard with a GPS tracking device that can lead police to the stolen phone and often the thief.

Vehicles
Many auto manufactures today have global positioning systems in their vehicles, but devices are also available for non-equipped vehicles. According to the FBI, almost 740,000 cars are stolen in America every year; that is one vehicle every 40 seconds or so, and recovering these stolen vehicles can be almost impossible. Recovery rates for vehicles with a GPS-enabled device, however, are much higher than those without, especially if the unit was undiscovered by the thief. One such success story took place in Tonawanda, New York, where one man discovered that his truck had been stolen from his work site. Using the GPS in his truck, he found his truck abandoned but undamaged in Grand Island.

Personal Possessions
GPS technology can also be used to track prized possessions, anything from furniture and luggage to electronics and pets. Geofences, or safety zones, are created that will alert the owner by email, text, or phone call when an item’s zone is breeched. Tracking can be done from smart phones or computers. Monthly monitoring fees are relatively small and well worth the peace of mind owners receive knowing the things that mean the most to them are well protected and can be recovered if stolen or lost.

Although improvements in technology allow people to keep track of their valuables, it is always best to turn GPS data over to the authorities when something is stolen so that they can properly deal with the situation and keep everyone safe.

Be Careful When You Park

July 3rd, 2012

One lucky larcenist in Watchung, New Jersey is pressing his luck. Watchung police are reporting three separate occurrences of GPS devices being looted from vehicles while parked at shopping centers. Two of the robberies occurred in broad daylight, at a Target and Home Depot, respectively. In a very backwards manner, the robberies express the increasing value of vehicle GPS devices.

Why Just Take the GPS?

In all honesty, it was probably easy. GPS devices are moderately easy to resell on Ebay or at local flea markets. If the vehicle does not have a proprietary GPS device, then it is likely easy to remove from the vehicle. The trick is getting into the vehicle and getting out again, in the middle of a parking lot. It is likely that the thief (there may be multiple thieves, but this patterned larceny suggests one perpetrator) scoped out the parking lot, waited until the owner of the vehicle disappeared into the store, then made quick work of the vehicle. It is extremely curious that the perpetrator has gotten away with the theft three times in a five day span.

GPS Integrated Vehicles

GPS devices are becoming increasingly integrated into the dashboard of the vehicles themselves, making them far more difficult to remove. Integrating these devices completely into the vehicle makes it much easier to protect the value of the vehicle and the value of the investment. It’s easy not to keep all the expensive stuff in a vehicle visible: you pocket your iPhone, you slip the iPad or laptop under your seat, you take what valuables you can with you, and hide the rest in the trunk.

It’s just not that easy with GPS devices, however. They need to be mounted above the dashboard. These computer devices must be accessible by the driver. They must be available. They must be separate. They must be obvious. This makes them prime targets for speed-thieves who want to make a quick buck on reselling stolen electronics.

Protect Your Investment

The GPS thief of Watchung, New Jersey has yet to be captured. However, the very act of these thefts highlights the need for GPS device owners to protect their investment with a car alarm, etc. Keeping your vehicle, and that GPS, safe makes for safe and happy travels.

GPS Study Shows Drivers Obey Speed For With Cash Incentives

July 1st, 2012

A recent study was conducted by traffic safety researchers in an attempt to find a way to incentivize drivers to obey the posted speed limits. The study was partially funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and implemented GPS tracking devices in order to gather accurate speed data. Eight vehicles were monitored with GPS tracking devices, with a total of 50 participants driving one of these vehicles for four weeks. At the end of each week, if the drivers avoided going five miles above the speed limit, they were rewarded $25. However, each time the drivers exceeded the speed limit by five to eight mph, three cents were docked from the reward. If the driver went nine or more mph above the limit, he or she was docked six cents.

“We found that the incentive system was incredibly effective in getting drivers to reduce their speeding,” said Ian Reagan, a traffic safety researcher for the NHTSA. “Egregious speed limit violations were almost eliminated — that’s driving nine or more [mph] over the speed limit.” For decades traffic safety experts have attempted to motivate drivers to obey speed limits. Speeding is deadly serious, and results in approximately 12,000 fatal accidents every year in the U.S.. Despite flashing signs informing drivers of their speed, increasingly costly speeding fines, and hidden speeding cameras, drivers continue to put themselves and others in danger by speeding.

At last, researchers have found a method that actually works, by using the carrot rather than the stick. “At least one driver said they made a game out of it,” Reagan said. “They wanted to see if they could keep that incentive amount of $25.” Unfortunately, it’s unlikely the government will be able to fund a program like this on a large scale. However, many insurance companies already offer discounts and other incentive programs for safe driving. Perhaps Progressive or Mercury insurance companies will soon track their customers with GPS tracking devices and offer rewards for obeying posted speed limits.

Worst Car Renters Ever: GPS Tracker Busts Auto Theft Ring

June 23rd, 2012

The employees at a car rental agency suspected that something wasn’t quite right when they looked up the reading from the GPS tracker on one of their rental cars. The tracker placed the car in a quite unusual location—it wasn’t on a road of any kind, or even on dry land. It was just off the coast in Los Angeles, getting ready to head out to sea! The agency figured out that the vehicle was on board a cargo ship destined for Asia, which didn’t quite match the approved behavior lined out in the rental agreement.

The rental agency had a particular interest in making sure they got this particular car back. It wasn’t your standard economy rental car; it was a Ferrari worth about $280,000. Since the Ferrari seemed to be on its way to another continent and not likely to be returned on time with a full tank of gas, employees contacted customs officials to investigate.

When officers boarded the ship and followed the GPS tracker signal to its source, they found a container labeled as containing used fitness equipment. Opening the container, they found the gleaming black luxury car sitting inside. Other containers also marked “fitness equipment” on the same ship were carrying fifteen other vehicles, all luxury cars stolen from rental agencies and dealers. The total value of the stolen cars totaled about $1.5 million.

If they had made it all the way to Asia, the cars could have been sold for about $3 million in China, Vietnam, and other countries. Instead, the thieves accidentally led police directly to their illegal shipment by trying to move a very expensive car fitted with a GPS tracker. Los Angeles police have not yet arrested anyone suspected in the thefts, although they believe the same ring has successfully stolen cars before and shipped them to Vietnam for resale. The thieves used false information to get their hands on cars, then tried to get them out of the country before law enforcement caught up to them.

Because trackers are now small enough to be hidden on a vehicle or other type of product, businesses are increasingly relying on them as a valuable aid in recovering stolen goods. In the case of a $280,000 Ferrari, the investment in GPS technology was certainly worth it.

GPS Theft Recovery Meets Extreme Sporting

June 9th, 2012

The auto industry, in cooperation with police departments, has had great success using GPS theft recovery devices—dealers and owners alike can rest easier knowing that, if someone were able to make off with a vehicle, all they would have to do is contact the police and tell them where the GPS signal was currently transmitting from. There is another category of vehicles that could be an even better market for these types of recovery devices, and now a company named Inilex has created the first one tailored toward this market.

Powersport vehicles are small, motorized pieces of equipment, like ATVs, snowmobiles, and jet skis. Thieves target these small vehicles even more than cars, because they are very easy to transport. They can just toss them into a pickup truck or large van, without even turning them on. These popular vehicles are usually worth a lot of money, so a quick, successful theft often pays off.

Unless, that is, that ATV is equipped with Inilex’s GPS theft recovery system, called SkyLINK PowerSport. Once the owner turns the vehicle off, the device sets itself to broadcast an alert if it is moved. The equipment is very small so it remains hidden from criminals’ view, and it runs on only a minimal amount of the vehicle’s battery power. This part of the device turns off as soon as you turn the key.

As with other anti-theft systems based on GPS, police simply follow the signal to the vehicle’s location in order to recover it. Because of the way law enforcement agencies prioritize reported crimes, a crime “in progress” receives immediate attention, and a moving GPS theft recovery device qualifies as a crime in progress. Thefts are usually resolved and equipment returned to the owners within a day.

This gadget also has some very useful qualities even when no one is trying to steal it. If a friend wants to borrow your snowmobile and you have less than complete confidence in his driving abilities, you can set the SkyLINK device to alert you if its moving speed, location, or other indicators get outside your preset boundaries. Then all you have to do is make a quick phone call and tell your reckless buddy to get off the bike.

GPS May Lead the Wrong Person Home

June 8th, 2012

The Uniform Crime Report put out by the FBI revealed that 740,000 vehicles were reported stolen in 2011 in the United States, nearly three-quarters of a million. Now, disturbing reports are emerging that demonstrate that car thieves are taking their crimes to a whole new level—home invasion. Using the GPS navigational devices that almost all drivers have, either as a separate unit or as an integrated system, thieves are able to locate a victim’s home and ransack it at will. Cases have been cited from Washington State to Michigan and Ohio.

CoJack, a company based in Canton, Massachusetts, is trying to make customers aware of the dangers of programming their home address into their car’s GPS unit; even listing it as a destination could be detrimental. A car thief only needs to hit the “home” button to gain detailed directions to the owner’s home. And since a homeowner usually carries a garage door opener in his or her vehicle, the thief has an even easier time breaking into the home.

If a vehicle is stolen, it is important to notify police immediately and to use any GPS tracking device installed in the car to locate the suspects as soon as possible and especially before any home invasion can be carried out. Some companies, such as CoJack, specialize in vehicle theft detection systems because they recognize that a smart thief can disarm a GPS system and thus avoid detection.

CoJack uses a discreetly placed and silent transceiver device that is linked directly to a state’s crime computer, all done by a certified technician. As soon as a vehicle is reported stolen, the honing signal is activated and law enforcement is notified. CoJack reports a 90 percent recovery rate, which is good news for car owners and insurance companies alike. In fact, many states offer a discount up to 25 percent on car insurance for having such a theft protection system in place.

GPS technology has become such a part of the modern world, but there will always be those who take advantage of such knowledge for more sinister purposes. It now seems that GPS-enabled navigation devices for cars, smartphones, and computers are a two-way street. Yes, they can help police locate a device when stolen, but they can also lead a criminal to the front door.

GPS Distance Measuring Makes Insurance Discounts More Accurate

May 13th, 2012

If you own a house in North Carolina, the cost of your homeowners’ insurance premium is affected by the proximity and quality of the nearest fire station. Houses within six driving miles of a station receive a discount on their insurance, and that discount increases if the station is particularly well equipped and staffed. In the past, insurance companies relied on brokers to provide information about each structure’s distance from the closest fire station, but they are now turning to GPS distance measuring to get more accurate information.

North Carolina’s insurance providers use a scale from 1 (best) to 10 (worst) to rate a fire department. The rating takes into account the training of a station’s firefighters, the quality of its equipment, and response time. Substations within a department’s district can increase its rating. If a house is located within a department with a great rating, its insurance costs are lower. However, most rural areas are rated around 9 and see only very small discounts. If a house is outside the limits of any fire department, a discount is not available.

Accurately measuring the driving distance from a house to a fire station has always been a very tedious process, but GPS distance measuring allows insurance companies to accomplish the task with convenience. Given the novelty of GPS in general, the new approach does occasionally need some adjustment. GPS distance measuring sometimes gives an incorrect reading, and the old-fashioned method of actually driving the route must correct it.

Existing policies are seeing a lot of changes, as insurance companies review their fire station information with the new GPS approach. Some policies are seeing discounts added, since they actually are within a department’s area. In other cases, a broker may have been a little optimistic when reporting the distance from the fire station for the original policy. Those policyholders would see their premiums rise as they lose their discounts.

Add insurance companies to the long list of industries that have made GPS a permanent part of the way they do business. It seems that each day brings a new story of how this technology makes someone’s job easier. And if your policy is reviewed and corrected, hopefully it will result in a bigger discount for you and not the other way around!