A Flock camera alert in Gastonia set off a chain of events yesterday that ended with six arrests, a rescued stolen dog, drug paraphernalia, and what police said appeared to be an improvised explosive device. The alert reportedly involved a vehicle linked to a break-in in Burke County, turning a routine traffic stop into a much larger investigation.
According to WBTV, Gastonia officers stopped the flagged vehicle and developed information that led to a search warrant at a home on North Rhyne Street. Police said the search produced a large amount of drug paraphernalia, the stolen dog and an object that appeared to be an improvised explosive device.
The traffic stop and search warrant brought six people into the case, according to police. The dog was rescued during the search, though authorities did not publicly provide details about the animal’s condition or whether it had already been returned to its owner.
Six Suspects Face A Range Of Charges
Arrest records summarized by WBTV show that Faith Harper and Tauris William were charged with possession of stolen property, resisting, delaying or obstructing an officer, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Justin Stillwell and April Montero were charged with possession of a weapon of mass destruction and possession of drug paraphernalia, while Daniel Fullove and Ondrea Strong were each charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
The charges stem from an active investigation, and the allegations have not been tested in court. The apparent explosive device was described by police as something that appeared to be improvised; the available report did not say whether it had been rendered safe or confirmed to be functional.
Gastonia Keeps Expanding Its Real-Time Crime Network
The arrests highlight how central license-plate technology has become to Gastonia’s policing strategy. In a September 2025 release, the Gastonia Police Department said its Real Time Crime Center included 21 Flock license-plate readers and 22 live cameras, with footage generally stored for 30 days.
The department has credited the system with helping investigators locate vehicles tied to suspected crimes, and a recent tech-assisted arrest showed the RTCC and Flock sensors playing a role in another Gastonia investigation. Tuesday’s case adds a particularly unusual twist: a camera alert tied to a break-in ultimately helped police recover a dog while pursuing allegations involving stolen property, drugs and a possible explosive device.
