A method of and device for assisting in identifying and recovering a stolen vehicle is disclosed. In the method, an activation signal is sent and received at a stolen vehicle. An alerting signal is sent from the stolen vehicle in response to receiving the activation signal. The alerting signal is received, and an identification signal is sent in response to receiving the alerting signal. The identification signal is received at the stolen vehicle, and an identification device on the vehicle is activated in response to receiving the identification signal. In a method according to the present invention, a control signal is also sent to and received by the stolen vehicle. A control system of the stolen vehicle is operated via the control signal to bring the stolen vehicle to a safe stop.