TYPE OF INCIDENT: Multiple Arrests and Stolen Property Recovered Assisted by Flock Safety ALPR

DATE AND TIME OCCURRED: Varied   

LOCATION OF OCCURRENCE: El Cajon

RESUME OF INCIDENT:

The El Cajon Police Department recently started an automated license plate reading (ALPR) program utilizing Flock Safety technology. Flock Safety ALPR cameras send a real-time crime alert to law enforcement when a stolen vehicle, or known wanted vehicle, from a state or national database is detected.

On August 21, around 0956 in the morning officers responded to the 700 block of Jamacha after the communications center broadcast a Flock ALPR stolen vehicle alert. Officers located the stolen vehicle, which was a U-Haul van. Two men were detained for possessing the stolen van, but were not charged at this time. The van was returned to U-Haul.

On August 22, around 0705 in the morning the Flock ALPR cameras alerted to a felony wanted vehicle. The vehicle was located by officers in the parking lot of Target at 250 Broadway. Officers detained the driver of the vehicle, who had a felony warrant from San Bernardino County for false imprisonment. Joshua Martin, DOB 4/5/92, was arrested and booked into County Jail for his warrant.

On August 23, around 1230 PM, Flock ALPR captured another stolen vehicle and the information was broadcast to officers. Officers located the vehicle, occupied by Robert Bliss DOB 9/22/70, in the Pep Boys parking lot at 201 Jamacha. Bliss was arrested and booked into County Jail and the U-Haul pickup truck was returned.

“As we are seeing crime increase across this state due to ineffective criminal justice reform, the El Cajon Police Department will continue to use every tool available to us to hold criminals accountable who victimize our community. If you drive a stolen vehicle in the City of El Cajon we will locate you, arrest you, and put you in jail.” said Chief Mike Moulton.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the El Cajon Police Department at (619) 579-3311.  Individuals with information who wish to remain anonymous can call the Crime Stoppers tip line at (888) 580-8477

PREPARED BY: Lt. Jeremiah Larson

DIVISION: Public Information Officer

DATE AND TIME: 08/24/2023 0800 hours

REVIEWED BY: Lt. Darrin Forster

Mike Moulton, Chief of Police

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