High-tech GPS tracking dart helps Belle Meade police find another stolen vehicle
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Belle Meade authorities recovered another stolen car this week, thanks to cutting-edge crime-fighting technology, including a network of license plate recognition (LPR) cameras and GPS tracking darts.
The darts have been successfully implemented four times since mid-January. The latest incident happened on Tuesday, May 21.
JANUARY 2024: Belle Meade police ready to use GPS tracking darts to catch suspects
According to Lt. Mack Mangrum with the Belle Meade Police Department, an LPR camera spotted a stolen car at Lynwood Boulevard and Abbott Martin Road.
When Sgt. David Wright got behind the stolen vehicle, before turning on his blue lights, he fired a GPS tracking dart at the rear bumper. Thanks to glue and a magnet, the dart hit its target.
After the sergeant pulled over the car and ordered the two occupants to get out, the vehicle reportedly took off at a high rate of speed.
FEBRUARY 2024: Belle Meade GPS tracking dart leads officers to stolen vehicle, teen suspect
However, since the GPS was already in place and sending back telemetry, Wright knew he didn’t have to aggressively pursue the car.
“When you locate it, when you go to activate your emergency equipment, you’ve got a chance that they’re going to take off running, and there’s no need for us to chase if we’re able to dart the vehicle,” Mangrum explained, adding that law enforcement would have been able to locate the vehicle even if the suspects had taken off again.
The two young men allegedly bailed out of the car, jumped over a fence, and got away, officers still recovered the vehicle without anybody getting injured. The car has since been returned to its owner.
MARCH 2024: Belle Meade police use GPS tracking dart to stop stolen truck
News 2 has reported on the Belle Meade Police Department’s usage of the GPS tracking dart multiple times this year, including in mid-February, when an LPR camera spotted a stolen sports car driven by a 16-year-old. Once again, officers fired the dart on the vehicle and backed off.
At first, the scared teen accelerated to 81 mph, but when the officers didn’t pursue him, he slowed down to a much safer speed, according to the tracker. Eventually, the teenager drove to a West Nashville apartment complex, where members of the Metro Nashville Police Department helped Belle Meade officers take him into custody without incident.
“If he’s not driving at a high rate of speed, he’s not putting the public in as much danger as if we’re behind him and he’s running from us,” Mangrum told News 2 back in February.
As News 2 previously reported, the GPS dart tracking system costs $73,500, but it was made possible by a grant.
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“It’s great technology; it’s one thing that cuts out the risk of injuries to innocent bystanders or officers themselves,” Mangrum said.
According to Belle Meade Police Chief Chuck Williams, eight cars are armed with the dart tracking technology.
Authorities told News 2 that after the darts are shot, they are sent to the company that refurbishes them. Then, the company sends the darts back to the police department for re-implementation.
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