A man accused of choking his wife and putting a gun to her head was arrested after police say a license plate reader detected his vehicle in Buckeye.
The woman called the Buckeye Police Department on Aug. 27. She reported the attack happened during an argument the night before.
She told police her husband left their home after the incident.
Hours later, his vehicle was detected by a license plate reader in the Tartesso area, according to a video posted by the department.
Officers responded, found the vehicle, and conducted a high-risk traffic stop. Police detained the man and later arrested him on assault, criminal damage, and disorderly conduct charges.
The department did not identify the suspect in its post. It also did not disclose the stop’s exact location or whether officers recovered a gun.
InBuckeye requested more information from the Buckeye Police Department and will update this story when it is received.
The arrest comes amid a local debate over the department’s automated license plate reader program.
Tony Stephens started a petition seeking an independent audit of Buckeye’s Flock camera program on Aug. 29. The petition also asks police to suspend the cameras until that review is complete.
Buckeye police said the department has used automated license plate readers since 2022. The cameras photograph the backs of passing vehicles and compare plate numbers with active law enforcement alerts.
The department said it conducts monthly audits. Trained employees must enter case and personnel details before accessing the system. Police also said an alert is only an investigative lead and must be verified before officers take action.
The arrest video brought both sides of the debate into the comments.
“Sometimes a Flock Camera works in your favor,” Rory B. Simmons wrote.
Michelle Smith added, “Great job BPD.”
Others said the arrest did not settle their concerns. Gina Chavez asked who can access the data and whether it is sold to third parties.
Shell Bell wrote that the camera may have helped in this case but still called the system an invasion of privacy.
Veronica Nieto said she was glad police made the arrest. However, she also questioned whether details of a domestic violence case should have been posted publicly.
The competing reactions reflect the question Buckeye residents continue to debate: Do the cameras’ public safety benefits outweigh concerns over surveillance and possible misuse?
The charges are allegations. The suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Anyone facing domestic violence can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788. Call 911 during an immediate emergency.
One Response
Given the current administration’s lawlessness and threats to democracy, the use of these cameras is frightening. One positive outcome is not worth the risks to our democracy, freedom of speech and general safety from lawless federal officials. We don’t need to adopt the 1984 novel’s surveillance and compliance model in the guise of community service.