Whiteville police say license plate reader helps locate homicide suspect

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Whiteville police say newly installed license plate reader technology helped officers locate a homicide suspect less than a day after the system was activated.

According to the Whiteville Police Department, at about 1:45 p.m. on March 5, a newly installed license plate reader alerted officers to a vehicle connected to a wanted individual through a hit in the National Crime Information Center database.

Police say the system notified officers when the vehicle entered the city.

Officers were able to locate the vehicle identified by the system and set up surveillance. After several hours, officers took Q’rana Sha’Dymond McKay into custody.

Q’rana Sha’Dymond McKay (Photo: CCSO)

Authorities say McKay was wanted on outstanding warrants connected to a homicide investigation by the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office.

Whiteville Police Chief Paul Rockenbach said the quick arrest highlights the impact the technology can have on public safety.

“In less than 24 hours of activation, this technology directly assisted our officers in locating and apprehending a suspect wanted in relation to a homicide investigation,” Rockenbach said. “That is a powerful example of how strategic technology can support the work our officers do every day to keep our community safe.”

Police say the license plate reader cameras were installed at locations selected to help identify vehicles connected to criminal activity entering and leaving the city.