HANFORD, CA — A 34-year-old man was arrested on Jan. 16 after he allegedly threatened to shoot employees at a Chili’s restaurant in Hanford.
According to the Hanford Police Department, the incident began in the evening when a man got into an argument with staff members. While leaving the restaurant, the man reportedly threatened to open fire on several people. Officers went to the restaurant and interviewed three people who described the threats.
The suspect fled the scene with family members in a red Hyundai SUV. To find the vehicle, Hanford police dispatchers used the city’s automated license plate readers (ALPR). The system, provided by Flock Safety, tracked the vehicle as it traveled eastbound on Grangeville Boulevard from 12th Avenue.
Law enforcement officers later located the suspect and the red SUV in the 1000 block of Connie Drive. When officers found him, they noted that the man appeared to be under the influence.
Officers took the man to the Kings County Jail. He was booked on suspicion of making criminal threats, driving under the influence, and violating his probation.
Role of Technology in the Investigation
The city’s network of solar-powered license plate readers helped police identify and track the suspect’s vehicle. The Flock Safety system uses cellular networks to send real-time alerts to law enforcement when it spots a vehicle linked to a crime.
The technology uses motion sensors and infrared photography to create what the company calls a "Vehicle Fingerprint." This allows the system to identify specific vehicle details beyond just a license plate number, such as the color, make, model, and unique features like roof racks or stickers.
According to Flock Safety, the system does not use facial recognition technology and does not collect personal physical information, such as fingerprints or facial scans, from drivers. The system usually stores the camera data in a secure online account for 30 days so police can use it for investigations.
While the use of this technology has sparked privacy debates in cities across the country, many police departments still use it to investigate serious crimes.
The investigation (case H2600207) remains open. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Hanford Police Department.
