Page 35 - VCT October 2021

Background:
Donegal Insurance Group insures a car dealership in Delaware. This dealership was recently tar-
geted by auto thieves that stole a 2018 Jeep Trackhawk on 8/08/21 valued at $83,000. The Jeep
was tracked with intermittent GPS updates from its UConnect system and showing a location near
the ports in Newark, NJ. I was asked to assist our Insured Business in recovery efforts on 08/17/21.

Investigation:

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I called Tod Neifert, 1 VP of NE chapter of IAATI for any IAATI contact information at the Newark,
NJ port. Tod referred me to Agent Dean Panzarino with the Dept. of Homeland Security, who with-
out hesitation, began providing assistance. Agent Panzarino, after checking Newark ports, contacted
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Cory Rodriguez, 2 VP of NE chapter of IAATI and NJ State Trooper for additional support.

Trooper Rodriguez and his team coordinated with the Newark, NJ police and were able to obtain ad-
ditional information from the stolen Jeep’s UConnect system. They were able to determine it was
retagged and likely in North Newark. As a result of their continued efforts and coordination, the
Jeep was recovered in Newark, NJ on 08/24/21.

This is a perfect example of the strength in the IAATI professional network and the dedication to
solving vehicle crimes. I wanted to formally recognize Tod Neifert, Cory Rodriguez and Dean Panza-
rino for their quick actions and investigative efforts in support of Donegal’s Special Investigation
Unit. As a result, the Jeep Trackhawk was recovered before making it on a ship or to a chop shop
and additional intelligence/information was developed for future investigations in Newark.

On behalf of Donegal Insurance Group’s SIU, thank you.

With a busy work life we rarely take time out to sit back and review our work or that of others.
We rush to finish one job and then move straight on to the next. However it is important that
we all occasionally take a moment and assess ours and our colleagues work, and then
acknowledge those examples of outstanding achievement.

While all Chapters and Branches have their own local awards the International Board also
manages a total of eight awards including:

• Raymond H. Dreher Memorial Award
• The IAATI Award of Merit
• IAATI President's Award
• IAATI Directors Award
• The IAATI Insurance Investigator of the Year Award
• IAATI Heavy Equipment Award
• IAATI Component Parts Markings Award
• NICB Award of Excellence

Nominations for all Awards close on 1st May each year, but you don't need to wait until
then. Why not use some free time over the to nominate someone and send it in.

Details on the criteria for each award and how to nominate can be found on the Awards Page
of the website at https://www.iaati.org/awards

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