City cameras reading license plates tip off police to fugitive, leading to his arrest

ACWORTH, Ga. — A man wanted for multiple serious offenses was arrested Tuesday in Acworth thanks to city cameras that read license plates.

At approximately 2:55 p.m. on July 25, an officer with the Acworth Police Department received a Flock Safety camera notification on a vehicle with a suspended registration and lack of insurance traveling through the city.

The officer confirmed the information and located the driver on Main Street near Nance Road.

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The officer performed a traffic stop on the vehicle and identified the driver as Youssef Amer, 25, from Kennesaw.

Amer was wanted on an aggravated assault charge by Roswell police and a probation violation charge by the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office related to an armed robbery and aggravated battery.

Police say Amer ran from the officer on foot.

Officers set up a perimeter and after searching for Amer with assistance from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit and the Kennesaw Police Department, found and arrested him.

Once apprehended, Amer was found to be in possession of a large quantity of marijuana and THC oil.

In addition to his previous charges, Amer is now facing a felony charge for possession of more than one ounce of marijuana, felony possession of controlled substances, obstruction of an officer, no proof of insurance, operating a vehicle with a suspended registration, and expired registration.

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Amer is being held at the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office without bond.

The Flock Safety camera system allows police to check license plates seen on the city camera system to see if vehicles are connected to any crimes.

According to the Flock Safety website, Acworth police used some of their nearly $1 million grant from the state to purchase additional Flock Safety Falcon license plate reading (LPR) cameras to proactively prevent crime.

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