Waterford Township, MI – A 24-year-old Clarkston man is facing three felony charges after Waterford Police say he intentionally damaged multiple Automatic License Plate Reader, or ALPR, cameras across the township, causing an estimated $10,000 in damage.
Detectives with the Special Operations Unit in Waterford arrested Spencer Anderson on February 26 following an investigation into vandalized ALPR equipment. Anderson was charged on a three-count warrant, each count alleging Malicious Destruction of Police Property, a felony punishable by up to 4 years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
Police say the investigation began on February 23 after several ALPR units within the township were found inoperable. A physical inspection revealed the cameras had been forcibly broken from their mounts and smashed.
In what investigators described as an ironic twist, one of the ALPR systems had already captured an image of the suspect’s vehicle and license plate around the time the cameras were damaged. Detectives also obtained surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which reportedly showed a lone individual exiting a vehicle and using a blunt object to strike two separate ALPR cameras until they broke off their mounts.
Police emphasized that ALPR systems collect only images of vehicles and license plates. Authorities said those images, combined with other investigative techniques, led to the arrest of Anderson, who now faces three felony charges.
Waterford Police also stated that ALPR technology has been used in the township to assist in solving numerous crimes, including larceny, organized retail fraud, auto theft, home invasion, unarmed robbery, human trafficking, and homicide cases.
While acknowledging that individuals may hold opinions about technological advancements in policing, the department made clear that damaging public property is a criminal offense and will be prosecuted. Officials say they intend to seek full restitution for the damage caused in this case.
Anderson was arraigned in 51st District Court before Judge Todd Fox and released on a $500 cash bond. He is scheduled to appear for a probable cause conference on March 11, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.
Anderson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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