From Metro Police Department February 27, 2023
A 16-year-old alleged car thief arrested over the weekend as the result of a lead generated by a newly placed License Plate Reader (LPR) remains under investigation for other criminal activity after numerous keys/key fobs and identity documents/credit cards for at least six different people were found in his bedroom.
On Friday, a License Plate Reader newly placed on Moormans Arm Road as part of the LPR pilot project detected a light blue Toyota Camry with a stolen license plate pass by on multiple occasions. The license plate photographed by the LPR was stolen on February 16th from Titan Auto Sales on Gallatin Pike North. Several vehicles, including a light blue Camry, were also taken from the business.
As a result of the LPR information, detectives began conducting surveillance in the area and soon spotted the car. With the assistance of an MNPD helicopter crew, it was followed to a home on Judd Drive. There, detectives detained the 16-year-old. After informing his mother of the stolen vehicle information, she allowed detectives into their home to search for additional evidence. Inside the 16-year-old’s bedroom were keys/key fobs to 17 vehicles, ID documents/credit cards for at least six people, two car registration documents, five dealer tags, other Tennessee tags, and two temp tags.
The 16-year-old was charged at Juvenile Court with auto theft and theft of the license plate as detectives continue in their efforts to determine where the items in his bedroom originated.
