Man Sentenced to 4 Years for Grand Theft Auto, Failure to Appear, Violating Probation After Flock Alert Helped Police Locate Stolen Car

NORFOLK, Va. — Devin Matthew Story, 29, was sentenced on Friday to serve four years in prison for grand theft auto, failing to appear in court for a hearing on that charge, and violating his probation after he pleaded guilty to stealing a car which was spotted by the Flock license plate recognition system last year.

Around 8 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2023, the victim left his black 2010 Volkswagen Jetta running in front of his residence on Grandy Avenue while he went inside. When the victim returned outside, the Jetta was missing. The victim reported his vehicle stolen to Norfolk Police, who submitted the vehicle information to the Flock license plate recognition system. Early the next morning on Dec. 16, Mr. Story was driving the Jetta on Middle Towne Crescent, a Flock camera alerted officers to that location, and they were able to pull Mr. Story over and take him into custody.

Mr. Story was charged with felony grand larceny of an automobile and later did not appear in court for this incident, resulting in him also being charged with felony failure to appear. In July, Mr. Story pleaded guilty to his two charges as well as several violations of probation for prior convictions.

On Friday, Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise sentenced Mr. Story to serve four years in prison and suspended another two years on the conditions that Mr. Story be of uniform good behavior and compliant with supervised probation for three years.

“Once again, good police work and the responsible use of license plate-reader technology led to the quick arrest of the right person at the right place, all while avoiding police interactions with innocent people,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Story will serve the sentence that fits his offenses and his prior record, but remember that prevention is better than any cure. Don’t become a victim. Turn off your cars, lock the doors, take the keys, and leave no valuables behind.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Joshua Holder prosecuted Mr. Story’s case, and Norfolk Police Detective Kavoris J. Fruster led the investigation.

###

July 9, 2024

Flock Alert Aids Norfolk Police in Man’s Arrest for Grand Theft Auto; Defendant to be Screened for Therapeutic Court Programs Following Guilty Plea

NORFOLK, Va. — Devin Matthew Story, 29, pleaded guilty on Monday to felony grand larceny of an automobile, failure to appear in court, and several probation violations after the Flock system alerted police to him driving a stolen vehicle last year.

Around 8 p.m. on Dec. 15, 2023, the victim left his black 2010 Volkswagen Jetta running in front of his residence on Grandy Avenue while he went inside. When the victim returned outside, the Jetta was missing. The victim reported his vehicle stolen to Norfolk Police, who submitted the vehicle information to the Flock license plate recognition system. Early the next morning on Dec. 16, Mr. Story was driving the Jetta on Middle Towne Crescent, a Flock camera alerted officers to that location, and they were able to pull Mr. Story over and take him into custody. Mr. Story was charged with felony grand larceny of an automobile and later did not appear in court for this incident, resulting in him also being charged with felony failure to appear.

On Monday, Mr. Story pleaded guilty to his two charges as well as several violations of probation for prior convictions. In exchange for his guilty plea, the Commonwealth agreed to have Mr. Story screened for therapeutic court programs pending his sentencing hearing. Judge Jamilah D. LeCruise accepted Mr. Story’s plea agreement, found him guilty of his charges, and set his sentencing for Sept. 13.

“Once again, a Flock alert allowed the police to recover the victim’s car within a single day, arrest the person in possession of the car, and hold that person accountable, all while sparing innocent people contact with the police,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi. “Mr. Story has a long criminal record. Whatever the system has done so far, it has not worked. Our hope is that, if eligible and willing, Mr. Story will participate in a therapeutic docket to address the root cause of his behavior, spare him further prison, and spare the community further harm.”

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney W. Joshua Holder prosecuted Mr. Story’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and Norfolk Police Detective Kavoris J. Fruster led the investigation.

###