Camera Technology Helps VBPD Thwart Attempted Firearms Theft

On Dec. 14, 2024, at 1:16 a.m., a local firearms dealer contacted Virginia Beach Emergency Citizens and Communications Services (ECCS) to report a burglary in progress at his business.

Officers from the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) responded to the scene at the 900 block of Reon Dr. They located a 16-year-old male from Chesapeake inside the business. The juvenile was taken into custody and charged with Burglary of a Business, 23 Counts of Attempted Larceny of a Firearm, Possession of Burglarious Tools, Possession of a Firearm by a Minor, and Destruction of Property.

“We are incredibly thankful the owner implemented surveillance cameras in his business. As a result, he was able to discover the crime in progress and quickly alert law enforcement. Our officers were able to immediately respond and arrest the subject. In doing so, they prevented 23 firearms that the subject was trying to abscond with from falling into the hands of those that cannot legally possess them or would use them in the furtherance of other criminal activity.” said Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “Cameras and an involved citizen played a direct role in denying criminals the means to commit future acts of violence in our city or elsewhere.” 

VBPD invites residents and business owners to register and/or integrate their security cameras with the department’s Keep Virginia Beach Safe initiative. Visit the program’s webpage to learn more.

(Note: The charges mentioned in this press release are accusations, and the arrested individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)