In the early hours of December 14, 2024, a vigilant firearms dealer on Reon Drive in Virginia Beach noticed a break-in at his store through his surveillance cameras. He promptly alerted the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) at 1:16 a.m. Officers arrived swiftly and apprehended a 16-year-old male from Chesapeake inside the premises. The teenager now faces multiple charges, including business burglary, 23 counts of attempted firearm larceny, possession of burglary tools, possession of a firearm by a minor, and property destruction.
Police Chief Paul Neudigate praised the store owner’s use of surveillance technology, stating, “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.”
This incident highlights the effectiveness of security cameras in crime prevention and resolution. The VBPD encourages residents and business owners to participate in the “Keep Virginia Beach Safe” program, which allows individuals to register their security cameras with the department. This initiative aids law enforcement in swiftly gathering evidence and responding to incidents. Camera registration is voluntary and does not grant direct access to live feeds; it simply informs the police of camera locations in case footage is needed during investigations.