VISTA — An automated license plate reader was credited with helping authorities identify and arrest a juvenile suspect in a drive-by shooting at a Vista restaurant that left one man injured.
Shortly before 7:30 p.m. Aug. 15, San Diego County sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a drive-by shooting in the 400 block of Vista Village Drive.
Deputies determined that a round fired from a passing vehicle had penetrated an exterior window of 2N1 Korean BBQ. A patron inside the restaurant was struck by the gunfire and treated at the scene for injuries that were not considered life-threatening, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The Vista Street Narcotics and Gang Team took over the investigation after deputies determined the shooting was gang-related. With limited information about the suspect’s vehicle, detectives turned to automated license plate reader technology.
“Investigators noted without the deployment of ALPRs, it was highly unlikely the vehicle would have been identified,” sheriff’s Lt. Noah Zarnow said.
Working with the Oceanside Police Department, detectives located and arrested the juvenile suspect, an Oceanside resident, on Aug. 18.
“At the time of the arrest, the suspect was in possession of an unserialized firearm,” Zarnow said. “The juvenile was booked into San Diego County Juvenile Hall.”
Detectives continued using license plate reader technology and located the suspect’s vehicle Friday, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
The investigation remains active, and detectives are working with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with information may call the sheriff’s Vista station at 760-940-4551 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Tips may also be submitted at sdcrimestoppers.org.
