GPS Tracking Leads Sheriffs to Suspected Boat Chop Shop
6 Apr 2017
You may have heard of a boat chop shop. A boat chop is where thieves steal trailers and boats in order to sell off the parts. And it’s a growing trend.
For example, the Sheriff’s Department in Sumter, SC charged six people with allegedly stealing a 4-wheeler and trailer. The vehicle was equipped with a GPS tracking device, which led police on a trail to what they believed to be a chop shop operation involving motors, boats and trailers.
Following the GPS tracker, police were led to an address where they then made some arrests. Police claimed that they were able to find a great deal of stolen items from another address where a few thieves were able to exchange a stolen bag (camouflage) that had items for methamphetamine worth $100 in it.
After police raided the home, they found a motor, boat and trailer which was already reported as stolen and other trailers, boats and items with altered serial numbers.
The two thieves were given a larceny charge for allegedly stealing the camouflage bag. They were given a grand larceny charge for the trailer and 4-wheeler theft.
One of the thieves was charged with receipt of the bag filled with stolen goods, receipt of $10,000 or more of stolen goods as well as operating the chop shop. The other was charged with pot and methamphetamine possession.
Many people don’t realize they are even able to have GPS tracking for boats or GPS tracking for watercrafts. These GPS devices are similar to what are used in automobiles but are made for small pleasure or personal boats and watercrafts. What’s more, they don’t realize these devices can actually give them the same benefits as they get with their cars.
When GPS tracking is installed on a boat, it can help police trace and locate the boat in a matter of minutes if it is stolen. And, having GPS tracking for boats looks good to insurance companies which will often offer discounts to customers who have these tracking devices on board.
If you aren’t utilizing GPS tracking for your boat, now is a good time to look into it. If you have a boat or watercraft, you may want to talk with your insurance company about a discount on your insurance premiums if you do have a GPS tracking device for your boat.
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