KENNER, La. — Kenner Police Department officers have been using new technology to catch criminals, and according to police these high-tech cameras recently helped in another crime.
Kenner Police Chief Keith Conley says just after 2 a.m. On Tuesday, a Flock camera detected a stolen car in Kenner.
"They spotted the vehicle at Williams and Airline and unfortunately the vehicle spotted them as well and took off Eastbound on Airline," said Conley.
The chief says a chase ensued.
"It ended when it crashed into a car and ended up in West Napoleon Canal," said Conley.
Police say the driver who was only 15, and the passenger 14, took off. "The driver actually got into some backyards, fled from officers and was eventually located and subdued by Jefferson Parish Sheriff Office canine unit," said Conley. "We have two juveniles out in the street at 2:15 in the morning in a stolen vehicle one of them had burglar tools on them."
Both were caught and arrested. Chief Conley says there are more than 70 Flock cameras installed across the city of Kenner. Flock is the name of the security camera company. The cameras are solar-operated, pick up license plates, and can recognize wanted vehicles. While discrete, the chief says they're game changers.
"It takes the place of two or three policemen because it actually finds the vehicle."
Flock cameras helped apprehend the two suspects accused of murdering Lawrence Herr last year. The 66-year-old was installing a letterbox when police say two men shot him in his driveway. The chief says the technology was most recently used days ago.
"We just one two nights ago out of Clinton, Mississippi there were two suspects in wanted for home invasion, armed robbery... It was entered into the system by those officers in Mississippi and we got them at a Walgreens here."
The chief warns these cameras will catch you if you have committed a crime. "If you're in a vehicle that's been involved in a crime, that's wanted, we're going to know it and you know, we're going to find you."
Driver was charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things, Aggravated Flight from and Officer, Possession of Tools for a Crime, Resisting an Officer and Possession of Marijuana. Passenger was charged with Illegal Possession of Stolen Things.
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