Police use license plate readers to track suspects across multiple states in jewelry theft case

The Booneville Police Department has emphasized the importance of license plate readers in criminal investigations. The technology helped connect information across multiple states, speeding up the process of solving a burglary case.

On May 16, 2026, the Oxford Police Department responded to a burglary on St. Andrews Road. Over $140,000 worth of jewelry was stolen. Investigators located a point of entry, footprints, and a partial fingerprint at the scene. Surveillance footage showed multiple individuals entering a vehicle parked nearby, which residents reported as suspicious.

Using traffic cameras and license plate readers, investigators tracked the vehicle. They discovered it had entered town with a different license plate and expanded their search to Alabama. Contacting agencies there revealed similar burglaries. The vehicle was then spotted in Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

Law enforcement in Missouri stopped the vehicle after a foot chase, leading to the arrest of suspects Fabian Ignactio Navarro-Aliaga, 27, and Marcelo Alejandro Telechea-Droguett, 36, both of Chile. They were charged with burglary and faced federal charges, with an immigration detainer placed on both. Stolen jewelry, firearms, and other items have been recovered and are being identified by owners.

The Oxford Police Department thanked the Missouri Highway Patrol, Chicago Police Department, and Department of Homeland Security for their assistance. The investigation remains ongoing, with additional charges pending in several states.

Source: Original Article