The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office credits modern technology and “good, old-fashioned” networking with other agencies for the safe return of a 12-year-old girl who went missing from the Mt. Airy area a week ago.
During the onsite investigation and area search, it was determined the girl left with an individual in a vehicle possibly headed to the Georgia Coas, authorities said Wednesday. Deputies were able to obtain license plate information for the vehicle the child was believed in and entered it into the Flock Safety license plate reader system and also began cell phone pings.
Both the vehicle and the cell phone pinged in the same area of eastern Florida near Daytona Beach.
Lt. Justin Williams of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office contacted his counterpart with the Daytona Beach Police Department, a contact made through his work with the annual Police Unity Tour. Williams provided Daytona Beach officers with vehicle information, direction of travel, and where the vehicle was last located.
“Within 15 minutes, they had the vehicle stopped and had confirmed that the female was safe and the driver was in custody,” Lt. Williams said.
The annual Police Unity Tour is a 300-mile bicycle ride from Norfolk, Va., to Washington, D.C., to remember fallen officers. The tour ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.
“This is what Flock Safety is designed for,” said Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum. “Flock LPR cameras only capture vehicle data and do not collect personal information, facial recognition, or anything tied to individuals. But today a 12-year-old is back safe with her family thanks to our ability to access vehicle information through that system.”
Tyler Williamson is charged at this time with interstate interference with custody. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.