In Millbrae, a sharp-eyed license plate scanner lead to the swift arrest of a woman driving a hot set of wheels, authorities said. San Mateo County Sheriff’s Deputies snagged Lucille Lashine Whiley, a 39-year-old from San Francisco, after the alert system flagged the vehicle as stolen on February 24 at about 2:53 PM. The alert led cops to the stolen ride cruising down El Camino Real before making a left-handed turn on East Millbrae Avenue, where they made their move.
A traffic stop on North Rollins Road brought the caper to a close without a fuss. Whiley, in the driver's seat and alone, was nabbed without drama. The stolen vehicle wasn't spiriting away by force or by sneak, it was a rental – one that Whiley rented and conveniently forgot to return, despite several hollers from the rental company.
Whiley’s joyride ended with a trip downtown – she's cooling her heels at the Maguire Correctional Facility, with bail set at 10 grand. The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office, sang the praises of the Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) System, also known as Flock Safety Cameras. The high-tech tattletales are a part of the county's eyes in the sky, spotting bad behavior on the road and making sure the long arm of the law can reach out when needed.
The ALPR's street smarts aren't just for show – they're strategic, They give cops the upper hand needed to snatch up suspects like Whiley. With Big Brother's little cameras perched all over town, the message is clear: Crime doesn't pay, and you can't hide.
