Sheriff’s investigators credited an Automated License Plate Reader with helping them locate a juvenile suspected of shooting into a crowded Vista restaurant last weekend and injuring a patron inside, authorities said.
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On Aug. 15, just before 7:30 p.m., sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a drive-by shooting at a restaurant on Vista Village Drive.
A man who had been eating inside the 2N1 Korean BBQ restaurant on Vista Village was injured when a bullet fired from a passing vehicle pierced the glass, sheriff’s Lt. Nick Backouris said last week. The diner sustained a minor injury and was treated at the scene.
Narcotics and gang detectives took over the investigation once deputies determined the shooting was gang-related and checked license-plate readers to look for the suspect’s vehicle.
“Investigators noted without the deployment of ALPRs, it was highly unlikely the vehicle would have been identified,” sheriff’s Lt. Noah Zarnow said in a statement.
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On Tuesday, detectives, assisted by Oceanside police, were able to locate and arrest the juvenile, who is a resident of Oceanside, officials said.
“At the time of the arrest, the suspect was in possession of an un-serialized firearm,” Zarnow said. The juvenile was booked into Juvenile Hall.
On Friday, detectives located the suspect’s vehicle, officials said.
Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to call the sheriff’s Vista station at 760-940-4551, the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477, or visit sdcrimestoppers.org/ for information on how to send web or mobile app tips.
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