Three men were arrested in DuPage County, Illinois, after authorities recovered five automated license plate reader cameras that had been stolen and damaged over the weekend.
Incident Details
Downers Grove police responded to reports of tampering with Flock Safety cameras and found two suspects leaving the scene with the equipment. Officers recovered the five cameras along with a ladder and tools from a nearby vehicle. The stolen equipment was valued at approximately $2,800 per unit.
Arrests and Charges
Anthony Pareigis, 34, along with Jacob Steichmann, 32, of Downers Grove, and Thomas Yano, 31, of Indian Head Park, each face two counts of theft of government property valued between $500 and $10,000 and two counts of criminal damage to government-supported property. Steichmann and Yano were taken into custody around 3:10 a.m. after officers located them walking near Walnut Avenue and Curtiss Street.
Role of License Plate Readers
Authorities credited license plate reader technology with assisting the investigation that led to the identification and arrest of the suspects. The case adds to a growing list of incidents involving the use and misuse of automated license plate reader systems across multiple states.
Broader Context
At least 20 police agencies in Illinois currently operate Flock Safety systems. Nationwide, officers in at least 12 states have faced allegations of misusing the technology, prompting scrutiny from privacy advocates and lawmakers. The DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.