DIXON — The Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating damage to three Flock license plate readers along I-39 in eastern Lee County. Over the past three weeks, individuals have cut the poles supporting the readers, causing hundreds of dollars in repair and replacement costs. The sheriff’s office said the readers provide investigative leads and objective evidence that can help solve crimes, including locating wanted people, stolen vehicles and missing persons.
Deliberately damaging the equipment is a Class 3 felony for criminal damage to government supported property, punishable by two to five years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. Anyone with information about the damage or suspicious activity around the readers is asked to contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.