GPS Tracking

SANTA CRUZ, CA – A vehicle tracking device in a stolen Mercedes was instrumental in uncovering a holiday burglary ring in affluent central California.

A young couple, Timothy Staley, 27 and Katrina Adamich, 21, were arrested in tourist hotspot Santa Cruz, CA, after police tracked the stolen vehicle to the parking lot of a beachside motel, with the aid of its GPS tracking system.

A Santa Clara County family reported to police that their home was burglarized and their vehicle was missing on Thanksgiving, after they arrived home following a holiday celebration with family. In addition to the brand new Mercedes, a digital camera, computers, jewelry and clothing were taken by unknown persons.

Luckily the sedan came from a car dealership that provides live GPS tracking as standard equipment. A live or real-time GPS tracking system calculates its exact position on earth with the signals from orbiting satellites. Those regular position readings are then transmitted over a wireless network to the Internet. The user can access data about the vehicle’s GPS tracking location at any time, from any Web-enabled computer or smartphone.

Vehicle tracking devices are known for their incredible accuracy. GPS tracking coordinates are usually within a few feet of the object’s actual location.

Within hours of the reported burglary, police used GPS tracking to find the swiped Mercedes. It was parked in the lot of the Paradise Motel at 300 Second St. The motel surveillance camera fingered Staley as the thief. He gave no resistance as police approached him. Staley allowed the authorities into his rented room, where they found his accomplice Adamich and numerous pieces of expensive electronics, jewelry and clothing.

Santa Cruz police said they believe the couple was responsible for a series of break-ins in the area.

Methamphetamine was also found in the rented room. The couple, who were transients, now have a permanent address in local jail. The GPS tracking system in the stolen car gets credit for the bust.

Police say the holidays are a time when burglaries, muggings and shoplifting are at their peak. Shoppers and retailers, wrapped up in the busy season, are easy targets, because their guards are down.

GPS tracking systems can be used for all sorts of asset protection, not just vehicle tracking. Tiny GPS tracking units can be attached to major electronics, appliances, furniture, Christmas decorations and even clothing. If the items are stolen, GPS tracking will lead to their recovery, just as it did the Mercedes; a common vehicle in California perhaps, but unique because of its vehicle tracking system.

-          Source: Contra Costa Times

Tags: GPS Tracking, police, Santa Cruz, stolen, vehicle

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 8th, 2009 at 1:28 pm and is filed under GPS Tracking in Action. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.