Police: license‑plate reader data helped identify suspects in multiple drive‑by shootings

Police Chief Hartnell told the council that investigators pieced together several overnight drive‑by shootings using surveillance and license‑plate‑reader data, leading to an arrest and the recovery of two firearms believed to be used in the incidents.

Hartnell said officers responded in the early hours to multiple reports of gunfire across neighborhoods and recovered a 5.56‑millimeter rifle round while processing one scene. ‘‘We eventually recovered the two firearms believed to be used in the shooting,’’ Hartnell said, and the department has prepared affidavits seeking charges against an 18‑year‑old, Jacob Gray; the chief said juvenile warrants are also being prepared for a 16‑year‑old suspected in the cases.

Sergeant Holmes, who briefed the council on investigative details, described how license‑plate‑reader matches and surveillance video helped build a timeline and link vehicles to the shootings. Hartnell and Holmes credited coordinated work with Lorraine PD, Sheffield Lake PD, the Warren County SWAT team and the county prosecutor’s office for executing simultaneous search warrants in early August.

The chiefs also described using LPR technology in other investigations. Hartnell said the department previously used LPR matches to solve a Pizza Hut armed robbery and track suspect vehicles in a homicide investigation. Council members discussed costs and privacy concerns; Hartnell suggested inviting a vendor (Flock) to present on technology, capabilities and pricing.

The council praised the department’s work and asked staff to arrange a comprehensive vendor presentation and to explore funding options for any equipment or installation costs. Hartnell noted that ballistic matching is pending and that formal prosecution steps remain with the county prosecutor’s office.