MUNCIE, IN — Two young Muncie men have been accused of destroying a Flock camera near the Ball State University campus.
Nicholas Jordan Minor, 21, and Dayton E. Lehman, 19, were both arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of obstruction of justice and criminal mischief.
Ball State police learned on Aug. 4 that a Flock camera had been cut down at Riverside Avenue and Dicks Street.
Officers found the camera — which law enforcement agencies can use to track the movement of motor vehicles, through images of their license plates — on the ground with its solar panel shattered, and power cables cut.
A Ball State police detective reviewed security cameras in the area, and determined the occupants of a white Chevrolet Silverado, seen driving in the area about about 1 a.m., were responsible for the vandalism.
Surveillance video reportedly showed Minor “using a reciprocating saw to cut (down) the Flock camera mounting pole.”
Other nearby Flock cameras showed the license plate of the Silverado, which was registered to Minor.
On Monday, Ball State police received a warrant to search Minor’s home, in the 2100 block of North New York Avenue.
Taken into custody were Minor and a teen reported to be his brother, Lehman.
Investigators said they found the saw used to cut down the mounting pole at the house.
Interviewed by police, Minor reportedly said, “It was a poor decision, and I don’t have any intention of doing it again.”
Lehman told Ball State police he “does not agree with how Flock (cameras) work.”
“It was a very dumb thing to do and I’ll definitely never do it again,” he reportedly told officers.
Police also said they found 281.5 grams of marijuana and paraphernalia “in plain view” in the house.
As a result, Minor was also held on suspicion of possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.
Minor was released from the Delaware County Jail after posting a $9,000 bond. Lehman also posted a $7,500 bond.
Obstruction of justice is a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison. Criminal mischief is a misdemeanor.
The Delaware County prosecutor’s office will determine whether formal charges will be filed.
In recent days, Muncie police officials have defended the cameras as a crucial tool for solving crimes, including homicides and robberies, and in finding missing persons.
In August, Monroe County commissioners voted to cancel their contract with Flock, calling the technology “mass surveillance.” The cameras continue to be used by police agencies in many other Indiana communties.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter for The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Young Muncie men arrested in destruction of Flock camera near BSU
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press | USA TODAY Network
