Monroe Police officers honored in ATL for helping dismantle multi-state vehicle theft ring

ATLANTA, G.A. (News Release) — Monroe Police Officer Aaron Beckham and Detective Matt Sierk received the 2025 Flock Safety Solved Award last week in Atlanta, Georgia, for their interagency collaboration in dismantling a multi-state vehicle theft ring using LPR (License Plate Reader) technology.

Between January and December 2024, a wave of coordinated vehicle thefts targeting Dodge Chargers, Dodge Challengers, and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawks swept through jurisdictions including Charlotte (NC), Myrtle Beach (SC), and Monroe (NC). The thefts, executed with advanced electronic hacking tools capable of reprogramming key fobs and disabling security systems in under five minutes, posed a serious challenge to law enforcement agencies across state lines.

Officer Beckham and Det. Sierk conducted historical LPR searches that identified a suspect vehicle repeatedly appearing near theft scenes and traveling between Charlotte and Myrtle Beach during key incidents. This data, corroborated across agencies, led to the formation of a multi-jurisdictional task force and coordinated surveillance operations.

Thanks to a well-timed Flock LPR alert, officers conducted a traffic stop along a North Carolina highway and apprehended the primary suspect. A subsequent search uncovered key fob cloning devices, electronic hacking tools, and dismantled high-performance vehicle parts, offering critical insights into the broader criminal enterprise.

In total, over 30 stolen vehicles were recovered, and the value of the stolen property between all agencies involved exceeded 1.5 million dollars. The evidence collected not only supported criminal charges but also revealed a wider network of suspects involved in interstate vehicle theft operations.

At the Flock Safety Solve Award Banquet, it was said, “This case highlights how technology-driven policing, when paired with seamless inter-agency cooperation, can overcome complex jurisdictional challenges. The officers and investigators from CMPD, Myrtle Beach PD, Monroe PD, and partnering agencies are commended for their tireless work and dedication to public safety.”