The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office used a Flock camera to identify and track a white 2015 Toyota Highlander after a BOLO was issued for 57‑year‑old Juan Montero. Deputies stopped the vehicle on I‑75 around 9:03 p.m.; Montero was arrested without incident and two juvenile passengers were unharmed. An inventory of the SUV turned up a loaded 9mm handgun with a round in the chamber, and Montero is being held on a signed Alabama warrant alleging first‑degree burglary, menacing and harassment.
Flock Camera Tracks Florida Man Wanted on Alabama Burglary Warrant; Arrest Made on I‑75
Image Credit: Columbia County Sheriff's Office Facebook
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says a Flock vehicle‑recognition camera helped deputies locate and stop a white 2015 Toyota Highlander carrying 57‑year‑old Juan Montero after a BOLO (be on the lookout) was issued for an armed burglary suspect from Alabama.
How Deputies Located the Vehicle
Deputies received the BOLO at approximately 7:33 p.m. on Sept. 11 reporting a white 2015 Toyota Highlander with Alabama plates being driven by a person wanted in a burglary investigation. At about 8:52 p.m., the Highlander triggered a Flock camera at the I‑75/I‑10 interchange while traveling south.
Traffic Stop and Arrest
Columbia County deputies positioned themselves along I‑75 South and intercepted the Highlander roughly 11 minutes later. Officers conducted a high‑risk traffic stop at about 9:03 p.m. Montero was taken into custody without incident. Two juvenile passengers who were in the vehicle were checked by deputies and found to be safe and unharmed.
Evidence and Charges
After confirming the outstanding warrant with the Elberta Police Department in Baldwin County, Alabama, deputies learned Montero was wanted on a signed Alabama warrant alleging first‑degree burglary, menacing and harassment. Before towing the Highlander, deputies inventoried the vehicle and found a loaded 9mm handgun in the center console with a round in the chamber, along with additional ammunition. The firearm and ammunition were collected as evidence. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office did not announce any additional Florida charges related to the weapon at the time of reporting.
Custody and Next Steps
Montero was transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility and held on the outstanding Alabama warrant. A search of VINELink did not return any additional custody records at the time of reporting. The sheriff’s office credited the Flock camera system and coordination with the Elberta Police Department for helping deputies locate the vehicle quickly and remove a wanted suspect from the road before anyone was harmed.
Note: The accusations in the outstanding warrant are allegations. Montero is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
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