![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/YFABXLWDLNAVJJOSP3NQ6C7MEQ.jpg\"\/)
Juan Montero (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\nCOLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 The Columbia County Sheriff\u2019s Office says a flock license plate reader helped deputies locate and arrest a wanted Alabama burglary suspect on Interstate 75 last week. <\/p>\n
Deputies say they received a BOLO \u2014 or \u201cbe on the lookout\u201d bulletin \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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 \u2018high-risk\u2019 traffic stop when the vehicle passed around 9:03 p.m.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Juan Montero (Columbia County Sheriff’s Office)<\/p>\n
The Elberta Police Department in Baldwin County, Alabama, confirmed Montero was wanted on a signed warrant for first-degree burglary, menacing and harassment.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Montero was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility, where he is being held on the outstanding Alabama warrant.<\/p>\n
Deputy Craig Strickland said the alert gave deputies time to get into position and safely stop the vehicle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen that tag pinged, that put us in a position to better act on an active and current crime,\u201d Strickland said.<\/p>\n
How CCSO uses Flock cameras<\/p>\n
Strickland said deputies must enter identifying information, including a deputy\u2019s name and identification number and a case number, when using the Flock system in connection with an investigation.<\/p>\n
He said the sheriff\u2019s office primarily uses the technology to help locate stolen vehicles, missing or endangered people and suspects connected to criminal investigations.<\/p>\n
\u201cFlock can just put us in a position to better act on an active and current crime,\u201d Strickland said. \u201cWhen used properly, it\u2019s been utilized in a very, very positive and expeditious way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Strickland said the system also helped deputies identify and recover a stolen vehicle from neighboring Suwannee County on Sept. 1.<\/p>\n
Why Flock cameras are controversial<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Supporters say the technology can give investigators another tool when trying to identify vehicles connected to crimes.<\/p>\n
Critics worry that searchable vehicle information can create a detailed record of people\u2019s movements and raise questions about privacy, access and how the information is used. Those concerns have fueled debate in communities across Florida.<\/p>\n