Torrance police arrested a burglary suspect with help from a network of school security cameras, authorities said Thursday.
Officers went to the 3500 block of 185th Street at about 11:40 p.m. Sunday in response to a report of “a suspicious person looking into parked vehicles with a flashlight,” Torrance Police Sgt. Ronald Harris said. “The suspect … fled on foot toward North High School.”
That’s when an officer in the Communications Division accessed the video surveillance system at North High School.
“The officer-in-charge was able to safely direct patrol officers to a stairwell where the suspect was hiding,” Harris said.
Alec Meyen, 20, of Torrance was arrested and booked on suspicion of vehicle burglary, Harris said.
According to Harris, in 2016 the Torrance Unified School District implemented a surveillance system of about 1,100 cameras mounted at 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools, and three adult schools to enhance student safety and security.
Torrance Police Department personnel can view the cameras in real time to assist with any emergencies, Harris said.