Utilizing the latest in surveillance tech, the La Vergne Police Department recently nabbed a theft suspect, thanks to their Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system. The suspect, identified as Thomas Warrick, is connected to a theft at Allvan, where approximately $2,000 worth of aluminum and metal was stolen. According to the La Vergne Police Department, the incident unfolded between August 11 and 12.
Despite the less-than-ideal quality of the surveillance footage from the incident, Officer Jeralds found distinctive identifiers on the suspect and the suspect vehicle. With a quick application of the ALPR technology, tracking down Warrick's pre-theft movements on Murfreesboro Road was a simple task. This lead allowed the officer to fetch the vehicle owner's details and, thus, identify the suspect.
As the case got deeper, the investigation took a turn to Express on Dick Buchanan Street, where video evidence showed Warrick scrapping the stolen material. On gathering this evidence, Officer Jeralds procured a felony theft warrant. In a strategic move, Warrick was soon apprehended at his residence in Murfreesboro by officers Jeralds, McCall, and a supervising officer, having confessed to his involvement upon being arrested.
La Vergne Police Chief Christopher Moews gave props to the tech-meets-gumshoe method: "This case highlights how technology and diligent police work can work hand in hand," he lauded. With such a system proving its weight in gold, it's clear the ALPR is not a passing fancy for the La Vergne Police. "Our Automated License Plate Reader system has once again proven to be an invaluable tool in helping us solve crimes quickly and effectively," Moews continued, praising Officer Jeralds for his "outstanding investigative work," and the teamwork that ensured the swift administration of justice. There's a clear message from the La Vergne Police Department: they're all-in on using technology to keep local businesses and residents safe from property crime.
