The Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) came in handy for Barrie police.
Officers laid drug and weapon charges on three people after the system alerted them about a vehicle that had unauthorized licence plates.
Barrie police were notified on Wednesday, January 3, around 11:15 p.m.
"The motor vehicle in question had just turned onto Mapleton Avenue from Essa Road when the Automated Licence Plate Reader (ALPR) made the determination," police said. "The investigating officer pulled over the car and entered into an investigation after it initially failed to pull over and stop."
Police say a quantity of suspected cocaine was found in a discarded satchel and all three occupants were arrested and charged with:
- Possession of a Schedule 1 substance – Cocaine
- Possession of a Schedule 1 substance for the purpose of Trafficking – Cocaine
The driver, a 36-year-old Barrie woman was also charged with flight from police.
The passengers, two Barrie men, were also charged with unauthorized possession of a weapon. In addition, one of the men, a 36-year-old, was charged with breach of probation (2 counts) while the other man, a 37-year-old, was charged with failing to comply with a probation order.
The three were released on an undertaking and have a court date in Barrie in February.
"These arrests are the first registered by frontline uniform Barrie Police officers made as a result of using the ALPR, and by continuously scanning licence plates, it makes it more difficult for suspended drivers, drivers of stolen cars, and other vehicles with plates in poor standing to drive undetected," Barrie police added.
"Under optimal conditions, the ALPR system is capable of scanning thousands of license plates per hour."
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
