Car thief gets caught in Atherton thanks to automatic license plate reader

Atherton Chief of Police Steven D McCulley sent this message to Atherton residents earlier today:

“This morning at 6:50 am, our automated license plate reader (ALPR) camera system detected a vehicle that had been reported as stolen yesterday out of the City of San Mateo. Thanks to the swift response of our officers, the suspect driving the stolen car was apprehended shortly after the alert was received. The suspect was arrested and booked into the San Mateo County Jail on charges of auto theft and for several outstanding felony warrants for burglary, grand theft, and assault.

“We understand that news of such incidents can be concerning, and we want to assure you that our community remains safe. There are currently 51 ALPR cameras strategically located throughout Atherton. Thirty of these cameras are funded by our residents, which serves as an excellent example of an effective public/private crime fighting partnership.

“The ALPR camera system is an important tool in helping to ensure the security of our Town and our residents. This incident serves as a reminder of the effectiveness of these safety measures in identifying and addressing potential threats quickly.

“We encourage all residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement. If you have any concerns or questions regarding this incident or the security measures in place within our community, please feel free to contact me at 650-688-6500 or at SMcCulley@ci.atherton.ca.us