A man was taken into custody following a bomb threat targeting Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. Authorities quickly identified and apprehended the suspect with assistance from Flock Safety’s License Plate Reader (LPR) Cameras, which capture objective vehicle data needed to solve and prevent crime.

According to the Cathedral City Police Department, a man driving a Tesla approached security at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California shortly before 11 a.m. local time on April 12. 

The man told security he planned to bomb the nearby music and arts festival, located roughly 16 miles south of the casino, according to law enforcement. 

Authorities around the festival were immediately notified of the threat, and after locating the vehicle in Palm Springs using Flock LPR Cameras, authorities arrested the man. No weapons or explosives were found, the department said. 

Flock’s real-time public safety integrations, which employs license plate recognition and Vehicle Fingerprint® technology, played a central role in the investigation. Used widely across the Coachella Valley, Flock Safety has become a key tool for law enforcement agencies throughout the area.

“It helps us if we were to have any type of crime within the city and we have a suspect—whether it's a description or a license plate,” Palm Springs Police Lt. Mike Villegas said. “It's going to tell us if the vehicle has left the city or when it actually came into the city.”

Flock technology allows for inter-agency collaboration. Detective Ramirez of the Cathedral City Police Department credited swift communication and coordinated efforts across jurisdictions in making the arrest.

“It was the swift and rapid response from initial patrol officers. And thanks to that information, detectives were able to apprehend [the suspect],” Ramirez said. “Everything comes down to teamwork and information sharing.”

The man was taken into custody without incident. Authorities have not released further details about the nature of the threat, but confirmed there were no injuries or damages reported.

With thousands of festivalgoers flocking to the region for Coachella and related events, law enforcement officials have emphasized that public safety remains their top priority. The timely resolution of this case underscores the value of Flock Safety’s high-tech surveillance tools and regional partnerships in ensuring community security.

Flock Safety’s LPR Cameras

Flock Safety’s LPRs are becoming a critical tool for local law enforcement agencies across the country. The high-tech cameras capture and analyze license plate data in real-time, helping officers identify vehicles connected to crimes, such as theft, abductions, or violent offenses. 

Operating 24/7, the system alerts authorities when a flagged vehicle enters or exits a monitored area, allowing for faster response times and more targeted investigations.

As a force multiplier, LPRs extend the reach of limited police resources. Instead of relying solely on patrol units or eyewitness accounts, departments gain an automated, data-driven edge in tracking suspects, solving cases, and possibly preventing further danger. Flock Safety also empowers collaboration between jurisdictions by enabling the sharing of vehicle data across agencies, enhancing regional coordination. 

Ready to see how the Flock Safety LPRs can enhance your department’s capabilities? Contact us today for a demo and learn how you can start improving public safety.