How do GPS trackers help law enforcement recover stolen property/vehicles?

CLOVIS, Calif. — “We see cases like this almost every month,” said Corporal Anthony Puente of the Clovis Police Department, discussing cases involving reported stolen property, trailers and seized vehicles.

There are also devices available to help track lost items.

GPS tracking devices like Tile and Apple Air Tag were created to help locate people’s most important items like purses, purses, keys, and more.

However, these devices now assist law enforcement in tracking stolen goods and vehicles.

“We often find ourselves using this technology. It helps and helps us,” Puentes noted.

But in such cases, the only way they can help the victim is if the device tracker is connected to your phone.

“If they can track down that property, that would really help us get that property back,” he said.

The California Highway Patrol reported that approximately 202,893 vehicles were stolen statewide in 2023, of which approximately 173,354 were recovered.

The average vehicle theft rate is one every three minutes.

While it may seem like a lot, the per capita population in Colorado is even higher, according to the FBI.

That’s why the City of Lakewood is turning to technology to track down stolen vehicles.

Apple used grant money to distribute free small GPS tracking devices such as weather tags or floor trackers.

“We see burglaries every day in our state of Colorado and the metro area. We hope this program will help reduce the number of these types and at least increase the chances of recovery,” he said.

Clovis Police say they’ve already seen the results of people taking preventative measures and investing in one of these devices isn’t a bad idea.

If you have something valuable and you think someone might want it, we recommend that you try to use whatever technology you choose to recover that property if you find yourself in a situation where someone steals it.

Puente says it’s important to use these devices responsibly and on your own property.

If you use tracking devices on vehicles that do not belong to you, you may face misdemeanor charges.

The cost of tracking devices depends on the model and brand.

The starting cost for one is around $20 to $25 for an Apple Air Tag or Tile device.