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Exeter Township Police in Pennsylvania have apprehended a bank robbery suspect, Michael Trumbore, using an automated license plate reader. On Monday (February 24), the reader detected a black Kia Sportage with a stolen license plate traveling west on Route 422. Officers connected the vehicle to a robbery at a TD Bank earlier that day.
According to police, Trumbore, a 56-year-old resident of Reading, allegedly stole the car from a Philadelphia dealership and the license plate from a vehicle in Lower Makefield. He then reportedly used the car to commit a robbery at the bank, where he handed a teller a note stating, "I have a gun and will use it," demanding money. The teller complied, giving Trumbore an undisclosed amount of cash with a tracker.
Authorities identified Trumbore from his driver's license, which he left at the dealership, and confirmed his identity through his parole officer. He was taken into custody around 3 p.m. in Reading after a traffic stop. Police found a large sum of money with him.
Trumbore is currently held in Berks County jail and faces felony charges of robbery and receiving stolen property. His criminal history includes a similar crime spree in 2011, for which he served a prison sentence.
The use of the automated license plate reader proved crucial in swiftly locating and apprehending Trumbore, highlighting its value in law enforcement operations.