Fairfax County, VA — Fairfax County Police officers recently utilized license plate reader (LPR) technology and a drone to locate wanted suspects, recover a stolen vehicle, and make multiple arrests. In three separate incidents, officers acted on real-time alerts from Flock Safety LPR cameras to quickly identify and locate vehicles connected to criminal activity.
West Springfield: Suspects in Out-of-State Homicide
On June 13, officers received an LPR alert for a vehicle connected to an out-of-state homicide traveling through West Springfield. An officer responded, located the vehicle, and confirmed its ties to the homicide case. A traffic stop was initiated, and two suspects were taken into custody. Both were charged with possession of Burglarious Tools and Possession of an Unlawful Communication Device. Detectives also notified the out-of-state agency investigating the homicide.
Franconia: Stolen Vehicle and License Plates Recovered
On August 8, officers responded to an LPR alert for stolen license plates at a Franconia shopping mall. Shopping Center Units detectives quickly located the vehicle involved. As detectives investigated, they determined the vehicle itself was also stolen. When two masked suspects returned to the vehicle, officers moved in to make an arrest. After a brief foot pursuit, both suspects were arrested. Combined they face over 45 total charges, from this incident and unrelated incidents in surrounding jurisdictions. The stolen vehicle and license plates were returned to their owners.
Mount Vernon: Drone Tracks Reckless Stolen Vehicle to Safe Stop
On September 2, officers received an LPR alert for a stolen vehicle traveling through Mount Vernon. The vehicle had fled from other law enforcement agencies the night before. Officers spotted the vehicle driving recklessly into a neighborhood. The Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) launched a Drone as First Responder (DFR) to track the vehicle from above while the Auto Crimes Enforcement team developed a plan to safely stop it. Once officers stopped the vehicle, three juveniles were detained.
These three cases highlight how quickly LPR alerts and drone support can turn a routine patrol into a solved case, connecting officers to stolen vehicles, wanted suspects, and evidence within minutes of an alert.
Yesterday, the officers involved in these cases were formally recognized for their actions and effective use of technology in making these arrests.
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