All 8 of Winona’s Flock Cameras Stolen, Police Investigating

Winona, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Winona Police Department is investigating the theft of the city’s Flock cameras. 

8 Winona Flock Cameras Stolen, Poles Cut Down

A news release says all eight of the cameras were stolen sometime between July 29 and August 1. 

Police became aware of the theft when an officer noticed no recent activity from the cameras on the night of August 1. The cameras are stationed in pairs on highways 61, 14 and 43. 

Get our free mobile app

Officers found the poles supporting the cameras had been cut down at the base. They were left in weedy areas near where the cameras are stationed, the news release says. 

Each camera and pole is valued at $3,000, which brings the loss total caused by the theft to $24,000. The cameras were still missing as of Tuesday morning, police say. 

Anyone with information regarding the theft is asked to contact the Winona Police Department at 507-457-6302 or call Winona Area Crimestoppers at 507-457-6530. Tipsters can also share information through https://winonaareacrimestoppers.com. 

Automated License Plate Reader Usage

Law enforcement uses the automated readers to track stolen vehicles, individuals with active warrants and vehicles involved in missing person cases. 

See Also: Southern Minnesota Man Caught After Cutting Down Flock Camera 

Earlier this year, the Rochester City Council approved a federal grant application to add four additional cameras to the two Axon cameras already in place in the city. 

A presentation shared with the council in April indicated the readers would not be used for traffic enforcement and data collected would not be given to third parties. 

Read More: Rochester Seeks to Add Four Automated License Plate Reader Cameras 

The only scenario in which Rochester police, which owns all data collected by the readers, would share data is if another law enforcement agency obtained a judicial warrant for information collected by the readers, Rochester Police Chief Franklin said.