Listen to this article VW Won’t Help Find Abducted Child Without GPS Subscription
Child Abducted During Theft of Volkswagen Atlas in Illinois
The incident began with a carjacking of a Volkswagen Atlas in Libertyville, Illinois, with a 2-year-old child inside. The victim suffered serious injuries during the altercation, and the perpetrators fled the scene in the stolen vehicle and a white BMW. The child was later found abandoned in a parking lot by a passerby, and the stolen vehicle was recovered by sheriff’s deputies.
Difficulty in Tracking Stolen Vehicle Due to Expired Subscription
The Lake County sheriff’s office reported difficulty in tracking the stolen vehicle using Volkswagen’s Car-Net service, which enables owners to track and control their vehicles remotely. The expired subscription prevented the detectives from accessing the tracking system initially. The representative at Volkswagen Car-Net informed them that they needed to pay $150 to reactivate the tracking device.
Emergency Car-Net Reactivation Denied by Volkswagen Representative
Despite pleading with the representative to reactivate the service due to the “extremely exigent circumstance,” the representative cited company policy and refused to budge until they received payment. By the time they received the location of the vehicle, it had already been located through other means, making the information provided by Volkswagen worthless.
Volkswagen Admits Flaw in Law Enforcement Procedure
The incident prompted Volkswagen to acknowledge a “serious breach” in its process for working with law enforcement and to address the situation with the parties involved. The delay caused by Volkswagen’s refusal to reactivate the system was particularly concerning given the “endangered child” inside the stolen vehicle.
Importance of Clear Emergency Procedures Highlighted by Carjacking
In conclusion, the incident highlights the importance of companies and third-party vendors having clear procedures and policies in place for emergency situations and working with law enforcement. It also raises concerns about the effectiveness of such services in emergency situations and the need for companies to consider the potential risks and consequences of service interruptions.
