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Satellite Unit Tracks Stolen Saab
Posted by Stephen G Carrellas (more from Stephen G Carrellas) on Fri, 15 Dec 2000 12:50:24
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

 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.

 Copyright 2000 Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.
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