By Shawn Henry 
A Michigan man is facing felony charges after police say he destroyed several license plate reader cameras in Waterford Township, only to be identified through footage captured by one of the devices he allegedly damaged. Authorities charged 24-year-old Spencer Anderson of Clarkston with three felony counts of malicious destruction of police property following the February incident.
Waterford Township police said the investigation began on Feb. 23 when officers discovered multiple license plate reader cameras across the township had suddenly gone offline. Those devices are positioned along roadways to record images of vehicles and their license plates as they pass. When officers inspected the affected locations, they found the cameras had been physically torn from their mounts and smashed.
Investigators determined the damage was deliberate. According to police, several cameras had been struck with an object and broken apart, rendering them inoperable. The damage interrupted the devices’ ability to capture vehicle information and forced officers to inspect the sites to determine what had happened.
During the investigation, police recovered a crucial piece of evidence from one of the vandalized devices. Despite being damaged, one license plate reader managed to capture an image of a vehicle believed to be connected to the person responsible for the destruction.
Authorities said that image became a key lead in the case. The captured vehicle information allowed investigators to begin tracking down a suspect connected to the vandalism.
At the same time, officers reviewed surveillance footage from nearby businesses along the roadway where the cameras were located. Police reported that video from a local business showed an individual approaching the license plate reader equipment and striking it with an object.
Investigators later identified that individual as Spencer Anderson. Police said the surveillance footage showed the suspect using an object to smash the devices, knocking them off their mounts and causing visible damage to the equipment.
The combination of the license plate reader image and the security video footage allowed investigators to piece together the events and identify Anderson as the suspect. Authorities said the two sources of evidence worked together to establish the timeline and location of the alleged vandalism.
Police then moved forward with charges after completing their investigation. Anderson was charged with three felony counts of malicious destruction of police property, reflecting the number of license plate reader devices that were reportedly damaged.
Malicious destruction of police property is considered a serious offense under Michigan law, particularly when the damage involves government equipment used for law enforcement operations. Authorities said the damaged cameras were owned and operated by the Waterford Police Department as part of their investigative and traffic-monitoring tools.
Police also confirmed they plan to seek restitution for the damage caused to the equipment. License plate reader systems are typically mounted along major roads and intersections to document vehicles entering or leaving an area, helping investigators track stolen vehicles or identify suspects connected to criminal activity.
In this case, police said the devices that were vandalized were designed to record license plates as vehicles passed through the area. The damage forced several units offline and required officers to inspect and evaluate the damaged systems.
Authorities emphasized that while individuals may have opinions about law enforcement technology, destroying police equipment remains a criminal act. The charges filed against Anderson reflect the department’s response to the damage caused to its investigative infrastructure.
Investigators did not report any injuries connected to the incident. The case focused on property damage involving law enforcement equipment placed along public roadways.
The incident also highlighted how surveillance systems can still produce investigative leads even when they are damaged. In this situation, police said one of the license plate readers captured a critical image before it was destroyed, allowing officers to identify the vehicle believed to be connected to the suspect.
That information, combined with nearby surveillance video, allowed investigators to narrow down the suspect’s identity and pursue charges. Authorities said the evidence collected during the investigation directly linked Anderson to the damage done to the cameras.
Court records show Anderson was arrested and later released after posting a $500 cash bond. The bond allowed him to remain out of custody while the case proceeds through the court system.
The criminal charges carry potential legal consequences depending on how the case unfolds in court. Prosecutors will present evidence connected to the vandalism allegations during upcoming proceedings.
Anderson is scheduled to return to court on March 11 for a probable cause conference. During that hearing, the court will review the evidence presented by prosecutors and determine whether the case will move forward toward further proceedings.
For now, Anderson remains out on bond while awaiting that hearing. The charges related to the destruction of the license plate reader cameras remain active as the case continues through the legal process.
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