GPS Tracking Device From Guardian Nabs Thieves


location based services

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Guardian Mobile Monitoring Systems, Inc. (Guardian), announced that their GPS tracking system enabled the recovery of over $25,000 in stolen oil field equipment in October. Acadian On Watch, one of Guardian's key reseller partners, provided the GPS equipment and monitoring services for the investigation conducted by the Vermillion Parish Sheriff's Office (VPSO), resulting in three arrests and the break-up of a theft ring that had been in operation since 2005.
The oil field equipment, known as chart recorders, was being stolen in batches from production sites every month for the past year. While each chart recorder is worth under $5,000, the ultimate cost of the theft can be many times that amount due to the productivity lost while the recorders were out of commission. Acadian worked closely with the VPSO to install Trimble GPS devices on several "bait" chart recorders used in the field, and provided 24/7 monitoring services using the Guardian system. Acadian staff also configured Guardian's software to automatically alert officers assigned to the case via email and cell phone alerts.
"We are proud to have assisted in the arrest and recovery of this equipment," stated John Tedesco, President of Guardian. "Equipment and cargo theft losses exceed $30 billion per year, and our system is designed exactly to combat this type of problem. This device is the first of a number of GPS devices that we will be integrating into our system for asset-tracking applications, and the results speak for themselves."
On October 10th, one of the bait chart recorders was stolen, and the built-in motion detector on the GPS device alerted Acadian monitoring staff and guided the VPSO with updated location information directed to their cell phones during the recovery process. The stolen equipment was tracked to the thief's location where the VPSO made the initial arrests. Additional arrests were made several days later, ultimately breaking up the theft ring.
"On behalf of the team here at Acadian, and particularly our Mobile Monitoring division, we congratulate the VPSO in their success at cracking this case," said Blane Comeaux, Vice President of Monitoring Services for Acadian on Watch. "We look forward to continuing our support of the local police efforts, and we are excited about the possibilities of continuing to use GPS technology to reduce losses from crime."
The GPS device used for the recovery was a Trimble TrimTrac(R) locator. The TrimTrac is the world's first affordable, fully integrated vehicle tracking, security and recovery device for applications requiring periodic autonomous position reporting and/or real-time on-demand polling, and cost- effective wireless communications.
About Trimble
Trimble is a leading innovator of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. In addition to providing advanced GPS components, Trimble augments GPS with other positioning technologies as well as wireless communications and software to create complete customer solutions. Trimble's worldwide presence and unique capabilities position the Company for growth in emerging applications including surveying, agriculture, machine guidance, fleet and asset management, wireless platforms, and telecommunications infrastructure. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has more than 2,400 employees in more than 18 countries worldwide.
About Mobile Monitoring, Inc.
Mobile Monitoring is a service of Acadian On Watch Monitoring Center, a division of Acadian Ambulance. Acadian is an Employee-Owned company and is the nation's largest private ambulance service with headquarters in Lafayette, LA. Acadian's monitoring center provides alarm monitoring service to security, fire, and medical alarm dealers nationwide. Acadian was named the Guardian Partner of the Year for 2005 for innovation and service quality. For more information, please visit our website: www.acadian.com
About Guardian Mobile Monitoring Systems
Guardian Mobile Monitoring Systems, Inc. is the leading provider of GPS- based, mobile security solutions for the security alarm monitoring industry. Guardian's patent-pending system enables security companies to expand from monitoring stationary items such as buildings and homes to monitoring mobile items of value -- vehicles, assets and people. Guardian is a privately held corporation headquartered in Santa Monica, California with offices in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more information, please visit www.guardianmms.com.
Web site: http://www.guardianmms.com/