High-Tech Tool Plays Role in Arrest

The following information was provided by Capt. Fred Komm of the Darien Police Department:

A newly deployed technological tool is helping Darien police take a bite out of crime. It's called a license plate reader, and it's a device that has enabled police to uncover a number of unregistered and uninsured vehicles since it was first loaned to the department from the manufacturer earlier this month.

"It's been really good," said Capt. Komm. "And on Wednesday, the officer was pointed in the right direction because of the LPR."

License plate readers consist of two or more cameras that are mounted on cruisers, and a processor that can match a recorded license plate number with a criminal database, according to an officers interest: stolen, unregistered or uninsured car; driver wanted or connected to a crime—for example. 

Because the cameras are positioned at different angles, police can scan parked or moving vehicles on either side of the street almost instantaneously; and when the device detects a suspect vehicle, it alerts the officer with a tone.

That's exactly what happened last Wednesday, March 24.

Police say the license plate reader was instrumental in the arrest of 52-year-old Michael Thomasson of Norwalk who was driving his 2003 Ford van southbound on Hoyt Street, when he passed a Darien cop traveling in the opposite direction near Woodway Road.

Thomasson was stopped on Hope Street near the Stamford border when the LPR alerted Darien police that his vehicle was unregistered. That fact was soon confirmed; registration on Thomasson's van had expired in December of 2009.

"He said he knew it was unregistered, but he was extremely nervous," said Capt. Komm.

Police detected an odor of marijuana, and confronted Thomasson.

"He said he had two passengers in the car who had smoked marijuana and passed over four dime baggies," said Capt. Komm.

Police found another five dime baggies after searching the van's center consul. In addition: a few marijuana roaches, a metal grinder and rolling papers. All tested positive for marijuana.

Thomasson was placed under arrest and posted $250 bond. He has a court date of April 8 where he faces charges of possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, failure to return suspended license and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Capt. Komm said the license plate reader is on loan to the department indefinitely. Good news, he said, because the system cost upwards of $18,000 and are not in the budget.