License plate reader leads to three arrests
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 11 years AGO
WORLEY - Routine checks never hurt. And in the law enforcement world, it can even lead to arrests.
Using an automatic license plate reader camera system - which checks for stolen vehicles, wanted fugitives and missing people - a Kootenai County Sheriff's Office deputy patrolling the Coeur d'Alene Casino parking lot early Thursday received an alert on a stolen vehicle from Spokane.
The result was the arrest of three Spokane residents on theft and drug charges.
Tara J. Montgomery, 31, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, stolen property and financial transaction cards. She is being held at the Kootenai County jail on a $25,000 bond.
Jackie D. McPeak, 30, was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle, controlled substance and drug paraphernalia and is being held on a $50,000 bond.
Clinton A. Castillo, 30, is being held on a $25,000 bond for possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia.
A fourth person who arrived at the casino in the stolen car had no knowledge of the car being stolen and was released, according to a KCSO press release.
The stolen vehicle was parked and unoccupied when the deputy received the alert from the license plate reader.
The deputy contacted casino security and obtained video of the four people who arrived in the stolen car. As other deputies arrived to assist, they conducted a walkthrough of the casino and found all four individuals.
Due to the stolen car and other stolen property found in the suspects' possession, the report was forwarded to the Spokane County Sheriff's Office and Spokane City Police.