Patrol Ace Reveals Secrets To Stolen Car Recovery
By Laurie Omness
Published: February 15, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio—
A certain instinct and access to technology that can rapidly establish auto ownership are part of the reasons Trooper Jermaine Thaxton is so successful at finding vehicles which have been removed from their rightful owner. He took NBC 4’s Lauren Diedrich behind the scenes on a recent shift.
“Just looking for something that doesn’t look right,“ is how he describes sizing up the cars he eyes as he drives along.
Trooper Thaxton is a patrol “ACE,“ a designation you get for recovering 5 stolen vehicles: he got back 6 last year and made several arrests doing so.
As a whole, the patrol found 721 cars that were taken in Ohio last year. Thats more than five million dollars returned to rightful—and grateful—owners.
More than just the recovery of stolen property, troopers say a stolen car may involve a related crime or crimes. Driving under the influence is a common co-charge. But stolen vehicles are used to commit other crimes as well. But the feeling of success comes when a car is returned to its owner.
“It’s just satisfying to be able to get someone their property that they paid hard earned money for.“
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