CRIME
Rio Rancho man charged in license plate reader vandalism
Man left flags at each location after dismantling cameras
Published
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A Rio Rancho man is accused of causing over $10,000 worth of damage when he vandalized automatic license plate readers throughout the city.
Jevon Martinez, 44, is charged with three counts of larceny, three counts of criminal damage to property and three counts of tampering with evidence. Court records show his first court appearance is July 13. It was unclear if he has an attorney yet, and Martinez did not respond to calls for comment.
Court records state that at least four Flock cameras were removed or damaged. An estimate states that each piece of equipment cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
On May 23, police were made aware that multiple Flock license plate readers had been damaged, according to a criminal complaint filed in Sandoval County Magistrate Court. Attached equipment, including solar panels, lithium batteries, wiring and other components, had also been damaged.
Flock cameras track and categorize a vehicle鈥檚 characteristics 鈥� such as the make, model, license plate and stickers 鈥� that can help identify a vehicle.
Critics of Flock cameras, including the American Civil Liberties Union, have argued that the cameras are an invasion of privacy and have voiced concerns about the length of time the data is stored along with what it can be used for.
In February, legislators passed a bill that would protect personal data collected by license plate readers. The bill came about after the ACLU learned that Texas agencies used data from the readers to track people seeking reproductive and gender-affirming care and for immigration enforcement.
Officers identified Martinez as a suspect after a traffic stop and saw his truck matched a 鈥渧ehicle of interest鈥� in the string of incidents, according to the complaint. Additionally, the vehicle had American Civil Peace Flags, which matched flags that were placed near the damaged Flock cameras.
Martinez was arrested on an unrelated active warrant, and during his interview, he told police he had destroyed or removed Flock camera equipment from multiple locations, according to the complaint.
鈥淢artinez stated he placed 鈥楻epublic鈥� or 鈥榩eace鈥� flags on the poles and described those flags as his calling sign,鈥� according to the complaint. 鈥淢artinez also admitted he documented the incidents on his iPhone.鈥�
Officers searched Martinez鈥檚 vehicle and phone and found videos of Flock equipment, along with videos of the flags at the vandalized cameras, the complaint states. One video captured audio where Martinez said, "Free solar panels, free lithium-ion batteries,鈥� as a Republic flag was placed on a pole.
Another video showed Martinez saying, 鈥淟ook at my work鈥� and 鈥淭ear that shit down鈥� in reference to Flock cameras, the complaint states.
One of the removed cameras had a handwritten note that stated, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e welcome, from the Republic of New Mexico,鈥� according to the complaint. The camera was later found on a nearby mesa, though the solar panel box was not located.
Officers later spoke with a witness who said Martinez had been trying to sell or leave the solar panels with residents in nearby neighborhoods, according to the complaint.
Martinez allegedly placed multiple components 鈥� including lithium batteries and solar panels 鈥� in people鈥檚 trash cans, the complaint states.
Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.
