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Check this out, from the Worcester Telegram & Gazette (MA)
Satellite unit tracks down stolen Saab
Friday, December 8, 2000
By Ted Flanagan
Telegram & Gazette Staff
FITCHBURG-- It was like “Star Wars” meeting “The Cannonball Run” when police used a satellite tracking system to follow a stolen Saab.
The car was taken Wednesday in a brash business-hours theft from a Framingham car dealer. The satellite system tracked the car across Central Massachusetts and to the front door of a Fitchburg package store.
Michael P. Forgione, 41, of 44 Winthrop St., Clinton, was arrested by Officer Timothy M. McDermott just after 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Mr. Forgione was charged with possession of a stolen motor vehicle, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, possession of a class A substance and possession of a class B substance.
According to Joe Bartolotti, general manager of Saab of Framingham, a man stole a 2000 Saab 9-5 sedan worth about $40,000 by simply whisking a set of keys off a service manager's desk.
“Obviously, we've completely changed the way we keep track of keys,” Mr. Bartolotti said yesterday with a chuckle.
He said the man strolled into the service department of the dealership early Wednesday afternoon and sat down in a waiting room chair.
“Someone asked if he needed help and he said no, that he was waiting for someone,” Mr. Bartolotti said. “So he waited around for a few minutes and then grabbed a set of keys on a service manager's desk and took off.”
However, the Saab was a corporate car belonging to one of the country's largest auto finance companies, and was equipped with all the bells and whistles -- including OnStar.
OnStar uses satellites orbiting the earth to fix a car's location.
The system allows drivers to contact the Georgia-based company to ask for directions or roadside assistance.
The system also allowed Framingham police to track the car to a liquor store in Parkhill Plaza on Rollstone Street, where Mr. Forgione was arrested by Officer McDermott.
“It was awesome. We had police on one phone and OnStar on the other, and they led them right to the car,” Mr. Bartolotti said. “We've had cars stolen out of the lot in the past, but never so boldly as this guy.”
According to records from the state Criminal History Systems Board, Mr. Forgione has more than a dozen convictions since 1979, including: four counts of receiving stolen property; two counts of larceny of a motor vehicle; unauthorized use of a motor vehicle; four counts of larceny; three counts of driving to endanger; four counts of shoplifting; possession of burglary tools; escaping from prison; two counts of possession of a class A substance; possession of hypodermic needle or syringe; four counts of violating controlled substance laws; driving after revocation of license; assault and battery and drunken driving.
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