Texas man arrested after license plate reader cameras detected stolen car

License plate reader cameras led to the arrest of a 27-year-old Texas man who allegedly stole a car overnight. Newton Police Department was notified of the stolen vehicle’s whereabouts within city limits by Flock Safety cameras, which allowed officers to locate the car and apprehend the suspect.

Matthew Hensley, of Plano, Texas, has been charged with second-degree theft, which is a Class D felony. The vehicle was a 2016 Nissan Altima registered in Colorado. According to the criminal complaint obtained by Newton News, the police found the vehicle parked at a gas pump.

Security footage showed Hensley exiting the driver’s seat, suggesting he was indeed operating the stolen vehicle, which was identified to have less than $10,000 in value. Second-degree theft is when a person steals property valued between $1,500 and $10,000, or a vehicle valued under $10,000.

Police say after Hensley was read his Miranda warnings he admitted to taking the car overnight. He has since been charged and jailed.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess said that since the implementation of the license plate reader technology in 2024, the police department has experienced measurable success in both solving and preventing crime. Over the past 18 months, the license plate reader alerts have directly contributed to:

• Recovering of stolen vehicles.

• Gathering of vital investigative leads and the apprehension of suspects in over 30 criminal cases, including those involving outstanding arrest warrants, property crimes, violent offenses and narcotics investigations.

• Providing leads in location missing persons.

“This technology has proven to be a valuable investigative tool, helping our officers act more quickly and effectively when time is critical,” Burdess said. “While LPRs are a powerful resource, we remain deeply committed to protecting the privacy and rights of our residents.”

All license plate reader data is stored securely, used strictly for legitimate law enforcement purposes and retained in accordance with stringent departmental and legal protocols, Burdess added. These systems are not used to track individuals, but rather to support investigations focused on criminal activity.

“LPRs are not a substitute for professional police work, but they are a force multiplier,” Burdess said. “They enhance our ability to respond to incidents swiftly, investigate more efficiently and, ultimately, keep our community safe.”