Temecula Teen Arrested After Dismantling License Plate Reader

An 18-year-old man faces felony vandalism and grand theft charges in Temecula after allegedly cutting down a Flock Safety license plate reader and putting it into a car. Riverside County Sheriff's deputies arrested Andrew Anderson, who has since been released with a court date in November. This incident occurred just days after a separate arrest involving a vandalized camera in Palm Desert. Hoodline reported on the arrest here.

The events began when a witness saw several individuals load a downed Flock Safety camera into a vehicle and provided the license plate number to deputies. The sheriff's aviation unit then located the vehicle at a home. Deputies stopped the vehicle, detained the occupants, and recovered the camera. Authorities identified Anderson as the primary suspect, releasing the other individuals.

What are the penalties for damaging a license plate reader?

Damaging a license plate reader can lead to significant legal consequences. In California, vandalism can be a felony if property damage exceeds $400.

• Vandalism (Felony): Up to three years in state prison, fines up to $10,000.
• Grand Theft (Felony): Up to three years in prison for property valued over $950.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Office states that intentional damage to Flock cameras will result in felony charges and arrest. They encourage the public to report suspicious activity. Drivers should be aware that interfering with these cameras carries serious legal risks.

How does this affect drivers and camera locations?

This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the expansion of license plate reader networks. Riverside County operates 564 Flock automated license plate reader cameras in unincorporated areas and contract cities. These cameras are used by law enforcement, as detailed on our live camera map.

The Temecula arrest is the second camera-related incident in Riverside County within a week. Previously, a 31-year-old man was arrested in Palm Desert for allegedly attacking a Flock Safety contractor and damaging equipment while replacing a vandalized camera. These events occur amidst wider discussions about surveillance technology.

Privacy concerns related to law enforcement access to driver data in Flock Safety's database continue to be debated. A Ventura County audit found that Flock inadvertently shared data with out-of-state and federal agencies. In response to public criticism, Flock Safety shortened its recommended default data retention period for camera footage from 30 days to seven days nationwide on August 13.

Similar acts of vandalism against Flock cameras have been reported elsewhere:

• Fort Lauderdale: Cameras were melted and slashed, resulting in $6,000 in damage.
• Isanti County, Minnesota: Officials ended a Flock trial after cameras were vandalized three times.

For drivers, these incidents mean that the locations of license plate readers may change as cameras are replaced or new ones installed. Knowing where these cameras are located can help you understand the extent of surveillance in your area. You can check our map for updated locations and learn more about ALPRs on our /learn page.