Times staff
Friday, December 17, 2010
CLEARWATER
New technology leads police to car theft arrest
Police said Friday that they have nabbed their first alleged car thief using a new license plate reader designed to identify stolen vehicles or cars that are not properly registered. Robert P. Evans, 49, of 1974 Sherwood St., Unit F, was charged with grand theft auto, aggravated battery, fleeing and eluding, reckless driving, petty theft, and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. On Friday, he was being held in the Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $131,050 bail. According to Clearwater police, an officer on patrol in the Walmart parking lot at 23106 U.S. 19 N on Thursday was using the new license plate reader when the system hit on a stolen license plate. It was later determined that the vehicle, a 2002 Toyota Solara convertible, was also stolen. While the officer was ...