GPS Tracking of Stolen SUV Leads to Chop Shop

17 Dec 2018

Shaun Redman, a resident of Memphis, was enjoying a night out with his family and his son’s baseball team when the unexpected occurred. Redman and his group finished their meal at a local Chili’srestaurant and left the building to find that their vehicle was missing. The family’s 2007 Chevy Trailblazer had been stolen in broad daylight near the Wolfchase Galleria shopping center. Redman immediately reached out to the police for help.

While the family waited for law enforcement to arrive, they were able to speak with one of the shopping center’s security guards. The guard allowed the family to view the surveillance footage of the parking lot. Redman watched as his family exited his car. Within three minutes of entering into Chili’s, the thieves were already popping the lock of the Trailblazer and making their escape. The theft happened so quickly that it’s doubtful any witnesses even realized what was happening.

Thankfully, Redman’s Trailblazer was equipped with a GPS tracking device. When police arrived on the scene, he quickly informed the officers that they could easily ascertain the car’s whereabouts by using the new technology. It didn’t take the officers long to utilize the tracking technology to locate the vehicle near old highway 78. The car’s location was pinging its signal near an old industrial building.

Officers coordinated a stakeout in an attempt to lay eyes on the stolen vehicle. Once they arrived at the industrial building, they witnessed several other vehicles, trailers, engines, transmissions, and various other vehicle parts nearby the Trailblazer.

On December 4th, police returned to the property to speak with the owner, Kelsey Jones. She gave the officers permission to look through the property. Officers quickly located the stolen Trailblazer along with three other vehicles that had been completely stripped. After running the vehicle’s tags, police confirmed that all three had also been stolen. Jones, the property owner, was apprehended by police. She is currently being charged with four counts of theft and violating the chop shop law.

Redman was thrilled the police were able to quickly locate, track down and recover his property. Redman and the police both believe locating the car and suspect would have been very unlikely without the use of the GPS tracking technology. GPS trackers in vehicles have consistently proven to be a great solution when locating stolen vehicles, and Redman is strongly encouraging other citizens to purchase this new technology.

You Are Here: LiveViewGPS Blog » GPS Tracking of Stolen SUV Leads to Chop Shop

About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.