A Florida man wanted on an Alabama burglary warrant didn’t know deputies were already waiting for him farther down Interstate 75. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office says a Flock camera spotted 57-year-old Juan Montero’s SUV less than an hour after deputies received a BOLO identifying him as an armed and dangerous burglary suspect.
Deputies received the alert at approximately 7:33 p.m. on September 11 for a white 2015 Toyota Highlander with an Alabama license plate. Authorities were told a suspect was driving the vehicle wanted in connection with a burglary investigation.
At approximately 8:52 p.m., the Highlander triggered a Flock camera at the interchange of I-75 and I-10 while traveling south. Columbia County deputies positioned themselves along I-75 South and waited for the vehicle to reach them.
It did approximately 11 minutes later, and deputies conducted a high-risk traffic stop when the Highlander passed their position around 9:03 p.m. Montero was taken into custody without incident, while his two juvenile children who were traveling with him were checked and found safe and unharmed.
Deputies Find Loaded 9MM Inside Highlander
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After taking Montero into custody, deputies contacted the Elberta Police Department in Baldwin County, Alabama, to confirm the outstanding warrant. Authorities determined he was wanted on a signed Alabama warrant for first-degree burglary, menacing, and harassment.
Deputies then inventoried the Highlander before towing it. The sheriff’s office says they discovered a loaded 9mm handgun inside the center console along with additional ammunition.
Authorities said the handgun already had a round in the chamber when deputies found it. The firearm and ammunition were collected as evidence, although the sheriff’s office did not announce any additional Florida charges stemming from the discovery.
Flock Camera Gets Deputies in Position on I-75
Montero was transported to the Columbia County Detention Facility following his arrest, where the sheriff’s office said he was being held on the outstanding Alabama warrant. A separate search for Montero through VINELink did not return any additional custody records or information at the time of writing.
The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office credited its Flock camera system with helping deputies locate Montero’s vehicle quickly after receiving the BOLO. From the initial alert to the traffic stop, approximately an hour and a half passed before Montero was in custody.
The department also thanked the Elberta Police Department for its cooperation and said the technology helped deputies get the wanted man off the road before anyone was hurt. The accusations contained in the outstanding warrant remain charges, and Montero is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.