In a bewildering turn of events, three license plate reader cameras were stolen near Highway 49 and Nevada Street in Auburn, leaving local authorities scratching their heads. Two of these cameras were the pride and joy of the Auburn Police Department, while the third belonged to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. The theft occurred in the early hours of April 26 and involved cutting the cords and removing the cameras, typically used to keep tabs on stolen vehicles.
Officers eventually located two of the stolen Flock cameras, but to everyone’s dismay, they were found submerged and utterly destroyed in a nearby canal. With each camera valued at around $800, that’s quite the investment down the drain—literally. As for the missing camera from the Sheriff’s Office, that one seems to have vanished completely. Sergeant Joe Almeida shared insights into the implications of this theft, suggesting that the motivation might stem from broader concerns about surveillance and privacy.
As law enforcement continues to investigate the incident—armed with footage of a suspect—they’re raising eyebrows about whether this reflects a growing frustration with “Big Brother” watching. It’s a curious reminder that even in tech-savvy Auburn, someone’s still getting away with a classic crime—stealing the very tools designed to catch them. Who knew license plate cameras could spark such drama?
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
