COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says a flock license plate reader helped deputies locate and arrest a wanted Alabama burglary suspect on Interstate 75 last week.
Deputies say they received a BOLO — or “be on the lookout” bulletin — around 7:33 p.m. Sept. 11 for an armed and dangerous burglary suspect believed to be driving a white 2015 Toyota Highlander with an Alabama tag.
At 8:52 p.m., investigators say a Flock camera detected the vehicle near the I-75 and I-10 interchange as it traveled southbound. Deputies positioned themselves along I-75 and conducted a ‘high-risk’ traffic stop when the vehicle passed around 9:03 p.m.
The driver, identified by CCSO as 57-year-old Juan Montero, was taken into custody. His two children, who were also in the vehicle, were checked and found to be safe and unharmed, deputies said.
Juan Montero (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office)
The Elberta Police Department in Baldwin County, Alabama, confirmed Montero was wanted on a signed warrant for first-degree burglary, menacing and harassment.
During an inventory of the vehicle before it was towed, deputies found a loaded 9 mm handgun in the center console. The gun had a round in the chamber, and additional ammunition was also found, according to the sheriff’s office.
Montero was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility, where he is being held on the outstanding Alabama warrant.
Deputy Craig Strickland said the alert gave deputies time to get into position and safely stop the vehicle.
“When that tag pinged, that put us in a position to better act on an active and current crime,” Strickland said.
How CCSO uses Flock cameras
Strickland said deputies must enter identifying information, including a deputy’s name and identification number and a case number, when using the Flock system in connection with an investigation.
He said the sheriff’s office primarily uses the technology to help locate stolen vehicles, missing or endangered people and suspects connected to criminal investigations.
“Flock can just put us in a position to better act on an active and current crime,” Strickland said. “When used properly, it’s been utilized in a very, very positive and expeditious way.”
Strickland said the system also helped deputies identify and recover a stolen vehicle from neighboring Suwannee County on Sept. 1.
Why Flock cameras are controversial
Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that capture information about vehicles passing by, including license plate information and the time and location associated with a sighting. The technology allows law enforcement to search vehicle information as part of criminal investigations.
Supporters say the technology can give investigators another tool when trying to identify vehicles connected to crimes.
Critics worry that searchable vehicle information can create a detailed record of people’s movements and raise questions about privacy, access and how the information is used. Those concerns have fueled debate in communities across Florida.
FDOT right-of-way use
The Flock camera involved in the Sept. 11 arrest was located in a Florida Department of Transportation right of way, according to Strickland.
He said the sheriff’s office has received an FDOT memo regarding the use of license plate readers on state highway rights of way and plans to comply within 30 days of the memo’s issuance.
Strickland said the agency currently has an automatic license plate reader policy that has been in place for more than 15 years. He said questions about the sheriff’s long-term plans for Flock cameras in the county should be directed to the sheriff.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office credited the Flock system and assistance from Elberta police with helping deputies locate the suspect quickly and safely.
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