Abduction / kidnapping
13-year-old abducted from a gas station is found on I-59 before an AMBER Alert could even be issued
Sept. 2, 2026 · Moody, St. Clair County · Moody Police Department
What happened. A 13-year-old girl was taken from a Circle K in Moody around 1 p.m. Investigators pulled the store video, then used license plate reader cameras to identify the suspect vehicle and its direction of travel.
The plate reader’s role. Plate reader hits gave officers the vehicle and its route, leading them to Interstate 59 near Bessemer.
Outcome. The vehicle was stopped, the girl was found unharmed, and a suspect was taken into custody. Chief Reece Smith: “Flock is an amazing tool, and we couldn't have done it as efficiently.” ALEA and the FBI joined the investigation.
Abduction / kidnappingWanted / fugitive
Abducted child under 10 recovered in Dothan after plate readers confirm a Florida kidnapping suspect's car
July 29, 2026 · Dothan, Houston County · Dothan PD, Houston County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Marshals Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force
What happened. Jenay Dominique Burns, 38, wanted in Orange County, Florida, for kidnapping a minor, fled the state with an endangered child younger than 10.
The plate reader’s role. Florida investigators used license plate reader cameras to confirm her red Nissan Rogue was in Dothan. Dothan drone operators then spotted the vehicle on West Main Street.
Outcome. A tactical traffic stop was made without incident. The child was recovered safe and reunited with family. Burns was jailed without bond pending extradition.
Abduction / kidnapping
Three kidnapped children recovered in Georgia and driven home by the sheriff himself
2025 · Covington County · Covington County Sheriff's Office
What happened. Three children were kidnapped from Covington County. Sheriff Blake Turman says that without plate reader cameras, “they may not have been recovered.”
The plate reader’s role. Camera data tracked the vehicle out of state to LaGrange, Georgia.
Outcome. All three children were located. Sheriff Turman drove to LaGrange, picked them up, and returned them to their guardian. “We are not Big Brother… Technology used lawfully and for a legitimate public-safety purpose can save lives.”
Abduction / kidnappingMissing & vulnerableWanted / fugitive
75-year-old Betty Cobb, followed home from Walmart, stuffed in a trunk and bound in a closet — found alive the same day
July 4, 2022 · Oxford / Anniston, Calhoun County · Calhoun County Sheriff's Office
What happened. A predator followed Ms. Cobb from store to store and then to her rural Choccolocco Road home, attacked her with a knife, put her in the trunk of his car and took her to his home in Anniston.
The plate reader’s role. Investigators used store footage to identify a suspect vehicle, then plate reader data to trace it to residences tied to the suspect. Sheriff Matthew Wade said she may not have survived without the cameras.
Outcome. Deputies found her bound with duct tape in a closet around 7:15 p.m. the same day. Suspect Tony Lamar White was captured by Kentucky Highway Patrol in Richmond, Ky., the next evening.
Abduction / kidnappingHomicide
Aniah Blanchard: a plate reader captured her Honda at midnight heading south on I-85 — evidence her mother says helped bring a killer to justice
Oct. 24, 2019 · Auburn / Montgomery · Auburn Police Department
What happened. Aniah Blanchard, 19, a Southern Union student and stepdaughter of UFC fighter Walt Harris, was kidnapped from an Auburn gas station and murdered.
The plate reader’s role. At trial, the lead investigator testified that a license plate reader captured her vehicle near the I-85 entrance in Auburn around midnight, heading toward Montgomery, where the blood-stained car was later found.
Outcome. Ibraheem Yazeed was convicted of her murder in March 2026. Her mother, Angela Haley-Harris, now speaks publicly in support of the cameras: “The good that comes from them, it's worth it.”
HomicideWanted / fugitive
Double-homicide suspect from Tuscaloosa County located in Huntsville within the hour
2026 · Huntsville / Tuscaloosa County · Huntsville Police Department
What happened. Tuscaloosa County called Huntsville police about a double homicide suspect believed to be in the area.
The plate reader’s role. An officer ran the suspect's plate: the reader showed his car near Zierdt Road 45 minutes before the call. A traffic camera showed it entering an apartment complex; a police drone located it in the lot.
Outcome. The suspect was arrested shortly after and returned to Tuscaloosa County. Huntsville runs roughly 100 readers and reports crime decreases despite population growth.
HomicideAbduction / kidnappingWanted / fugitive
Man wanted for a double murder and kidnapping in South Alabama is caught after readers flag his overnight stop in Huntsville
Aug. 2025 · South Alabama → Huntsville · Huntsville PD, Ardmore PD
What happened. The suspect had a head start on detectives and drove the length of the state.
The plate reader’s role. He “did not account for a license plate reader, dotting major highways and interstates across the state.” His plate was flagged in Huntsville, where he had stopped for the night.
Outcome. Arrested. Ardmore Chief Jereme Robison: “It's like having an extra police officer, all the time… the camera doesn't have to rest.” Cost cited: about $3,000 per camera per year.
Homicide
Baldwin County double homicide solved by piecing together limited evidence in hours
Recounted Aug. 2026 · Baldwin County · Baldwin County Sheriff's Office
What happened. Former Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack, now executive director of the Alabama Sheriffs Association, recalled a double homicide in which cameras let investigators assemble limited evidence in a short span of time.
The plate reader’s role. Plate reader data connected the suspect vehicle to the scene and timeline.
Outcome. Suspect located and arrested. Mack: “The use of these systems are not a mass surveillance operation but a use of advanced technology to improve public safety.”
Homicide
Zelda Road murder: cameras captured the suspect's license plate
2026 · Montgomery · Montgomery Police Department
What happened. Speaking at the Montgomery City Council, Councilwoman Julie Beard cited multiple cases solved with the city's readers, including a murder on Zelda Road.
The plate reader’s role. Readers captured the suspect's plate as the vehicle left the area.
Outcome. Suspect identified. Montgomery operates more than 100 cameras.
Homicide
Capital murder investigation: readers supplied leads and the timeline in the system's first year
2024–2025 · Decatur, Morgan County · Decatur Police Department
What happened. Decatur police credited readers with providing investigative leads and establishing a timeline in a capital murder case during the first year of deployment.
The plate reader’s role. Capt. Justin Lyon: “It's a tool where otherwise we would have absolutely zero idea” — turning months of investigation into minutes.
Outcome. Leads and timeline established. Interim Chief Alan McDearmond called the system a “100% game-changer.”
Abduction / kidnappingWanted / fugitiveRobbery / burglary / theft
A stolen Massachusetts car flagged in Hartselle — inside, a kidnapped woman and her captor
April 2023 · Hartselle, Morgan County · Hartselle Police Department
What happened. A hit on a stolen vehicle from Massachusetts led Hartselle officers to the car.
The plate reader’s role. The plate reader alert on the stolen vehicle was the only reason officers looked.
Outcome. A kidnapped woman was recovered. Antonio Jose Concepcion Ferrer faces kidnapping and assault charges.
Robbery / burglary / theftWanted / fugitive
City-property burglar arrested in Cullman four days later
Feb. 2025 · Hartselle → Cullman · Hartselle Police Department
What happened. Tools were stolen from Hartselle Parks and Recreation.
The plate reader’s role. Reader data placed the suspect vehicle and tracked it to Cullman.
Outcome. Cody Lance Hitt arrested and charged with third-degree burglary.
Robbery / burglary / theft
About 15 felonies solved in the first week the cameras went live — including stolen firearms recovered
2020 · Montevallo, Shelby County · Montevallo Police Department
What happened. Montevallo installed readers in 2020 and cleared roughly 15 felony cases within a week.
The plate reader’s role. Stolen-vehicle hits led officers to cars carrying stolen guns.
Outcome. Chief Jeremy Littleton: “a great force multiplier… like us putting an additional officer out there looking for vehicles that have been involved in crimes.”
HomicideRobbery / burglary / theft
Robberies and homicides solved “within the hour, sometimes minutes”
2024 · Shelby County · Shelby County Sheriff's Office (169 cameras as of April 2024)
What happened. The Sheriff's Office runs its own countywide network.
The plate reader’s role. Major Clay Hammac: “If we are trying to identify a suspect vehicle, locate a potential suspect driver and all we have is a partial tag or make and model, these tools are invaluable.”
Outcome. Multiple robberies and homicides cleared in hours rather than weeks.
Missing & vulnerable
Elderly couple with dementia, lost while driving, tracked by camera hit and found safe near York
July 28, 2026 · West Blocton, Bibb County · West Blocton Police Department
What happened. A missing-persons report came in for an elderly couple with dementia who had become lost on the road.
The plate reader’s role. An early reader hit gave the direction of travel; a Facebook alert shared 2,000+ times and OnStar finished the job.
Outcome. Located safe, checked by EMS, and returned to family. The department credited “the combined efforts of Flock Safety technology, community tips, OnStar, law enforcement agencies, EMS personnel and 911 dispatchers.”
Missing & vulnerable
90-year-old dementia patient who drove into Florida is located
2026 · Gulf Shores, Baldwin County · Gulf Shores Police Department
What happened. A 90-year-old with dementia drove out of state.
The plate reader’s role. Reader data identified the direction of travel and location. Chief Netemeyer says the cameras “have helped solve cases.” Gulf Shores publishes a public transparency portal.
Outcome. Located and returned safely.
Abduction / kidnappingMissing & vulnerableHomicideRobbery / burglary / theft
AMBER Alert victims and suspects located; missing loved ones with cognitive decline found
Ongoing · Birmingham, Jefferson County · Birmingham Police Department Real Time Crime Center
What happened. Birmingham's readers feed the department's Real Time Crime Center. In July 2025 the City Council approved a $9.7 million expansion of the network.
The plate reader’s role. Top five search reasons on record: motor vehicle theft, stolen property, homicide investigation, robbery, and shots fired.
Outcome. The department reports locating AMBER Alert victims and suspects, finding missing persons with cognitive decline, and generating leads on violent crimes.
Wanted / fugitiveRobbery / burglary / theft
Armed-and-dangerous Alabama burglary suspect caught on I-75 79 minutes after the BOLO
Sept. 11, 2026 · I-75 / I-10, Lake City, Florida · Columbia County (Fla.) Sheriff's Office
What happened. A be-on-the-lookout bulletin went out at 7:33 p.m. for an armed burglary suspect in a white 2015 Toyota Highlander with an Alabama tag.
The plate reader’s role. At 8:52 p.m. a plate reader at the I-75/I-10 interchange flagged the vehicle southbound.
Outcome. Juan Montero, 57, was taken into custody. Alabama cases do not stop at the state line — and neither do the cameras.
