Winner International and Auto-Theft.info honor Detective Mark Lovern and the Roanoke, VA Police Department's auto theft task force as June 2003 Heroes of the Month

Roanoke Police Detective Lovern is cited for his superior performance recovering stolen vehicles. He was previously cited by HEAT program. Roanoke Police Department will receive complimentary Clubs and other anti-theft tools in honor of Detective Lovern's achievements.

Roanoke Police Detective Mark Lovern has averaged about 400 vehicle theft investigations per year since becoming the department's sole vehicle theft detective in February 2001. In 2002, he helped recover 84 percent of the vehicles reported stolen in Roanoke, a rate well above the national average.

For his exceptional recovery rate, Lovern has already been recognized for outstanding service by HEAT -- Help Eliminate Auto Theft, a state sponsored program established in 1992.

Lovern credits his co-officers with helping make the recovery rate so high. He stresses that it is a team effort. Roanoke police Officer Andrew Page was also recognized for outstanding performance by HEAT for recovering eight stolen vehicles and making six felony arrests from traffic stops on stolen vehicles in 2001.

"I think we all enjoy the experience of finding a stolen vehicle and getting it back to the owner all in one piece," Lovern said.

Lovern warns people that no car is safe from theft, especially if it is not protected. The act of leaving a car running or the keys in the ignition for just a moment can be a huge mistake.

"Hopefully, we can educate people that the times are changing and we have to take extra steps to ensure that our property is safe," Lovern said.

As long as cars are being stolen in Roanoke, Lovern will continue to do the job that he knows must be done.

For his superior performance Auto-Theft.info and Winner International salute Detective Mark Lovern and the officers of the Roanoke Police Department as June's "Auto-Theft Heroes of the Month." As the official sponsor of this award, Winner International will send Detective Lovern's Department a set of complimentary Club anti-theft devices.

Additional support for Auto-Theft.info comes from Vehicle Identification Systems, Inc. who will send a set of complimentary Do-It-Yourself http://www.VINetcher.com">VINetcher VIN etching kits to this month's heroes.