Elizabethton, TN – A Hampton man is facing a felony charge after investigators say he stole a law enforcement Flock license plate camera earlier this month, an incident that authorities say highlights the importance of the technology in solving crimes.
According to the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, investigators arrested Ronnie King, 66, of Hampton, following an investigation into the disappearance of a Flock camera that went offline in early January.
The investigation began on January 9, when the sheriff’s office received a notification from the Flock Management Team that a camera in the county network had stopped transmitting. Deputies responded to the camera’s last known location and discovered that both the camera and the pole it was mounted on were missing.
Authorities say the camera itself captured a series of photographs during its removal. Those images allegedly showed clear facial images of the suspect, along with surrounding landmarks that helped investigators identify a nearby business.
On January 12, investigators visited the business to speak with the owner. While there, deputies located the camera pole and encountered another individual who matched the person seen in the images. Investigators identified that individual as King.
According to the sheriff’s office, King was read his Miranda rights and initially denied any involvement. He later admitted to taking the camera “out of curiosity,” investigators said. King allegedly told deputies the camera began flashing red, causing concern, and he placed it in a bag before throwing it into the Doe River from a nearby bridge.
King was arrested and charged with Theft of Property valued between $2,500 and $9,999, a felony offense. He was transported to the Carter County Detention Center, where he remains held on a $15,000 bond.
Sheriff Mike Fraley emphasized the importance of Flock cameras, noting they help investigators track vehicles and solve crimes across the county.
“If you damage, destroy, or steal a camera, you will be prosecuted,” Fraley said.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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