July 29, 2026 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that they have arrested Marcus Bee, age 40, of Pismo Beach, California, in connection with the intentional vandalism of at least three Flock Safety Automated License Plate Recognition (ALPR) cameras located throughout Monterey County.
During the investigation, detectives determined Bee traveled to Monterey County and intentionally damaged multiple Flock Safety cameras, causing thousands of dollars in damage to public safety infrastructure in the communities of Lockwood and Bradley.
Although Bee intentionally damaged the ALPR cameras, his actions were captured by other surveillance cameras located nearby. That evidence, combined with other investigative leads, enabled detectives to identify Bee as the suspect. He was arrested and booked into the Monterey County Jail on a charge of Felony Vandalism (594(a)(3) PC). His bail was set at $30,000.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras are an important investigative tool used by law enforcement agencies throughout Monterey County to solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and identify suspect vehicles involved in investigations ranging from property crimes to violent crimes, including shootings and homicides. These cameras are used exclusively to support legitimate criminal investigations and are not used for civil immigration enforcement or federal immigration investigations.
"This arrest sends a clear message that anyone who intentionally damages public safety equipment will be identified, arrested, and held accountable," said Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto. "These cameras have become an invaluable investigative resource that helps us solve crimes, recover stolen vehicles and ag equipment, locate missing persons, and protect our communities. Any attempts to disable these systems will not prevent us from doing our job. In this case, the suspect's own actions were captured on surveillance cameras, leading directly to his arrest. We will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes and seek prosecution against anyone who targets public safety infrastructure."
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office remains committed to using technology responsibly and in accordance with California law to enhance public safety while protecting the privacy and civil liberties of our community.
Source & photos: Monterey County Sheriff's Office
