Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — The Gulf Shores Police Department said evidence gathered from Flock Safety cameras helped track down eight suspects in an armed robbery. The incident occurred this past week.

Police reviewed Flock data and conducted interviews. They determined a group of armed individuals connected to a disturbance at the home the night before returned Wednesday morning and threatened the occupants with guns. Detectives said a pistol was stolen during the robbery.

The suspects are charged with multiple felony offenses, including first-degree robbery, second-degree possession of stolen property, second-degree receiving stolen property, certain persons forbidden to possess a firearm, menacing and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

“The use of Flock camera technology continues to enhance investigative capabilities and support the rapid resolution of criminal activity,” Gulf Shores Police Department stated. “The evidence recovered from the suspect's vehicle included five firearms, one of which was reported stolen out of Montgomery. The victim's firearm was recovered as well.”

While these systems have come under recent scrutiny, proponents argue that this technology helps fill critical evidence gaps, enabling police to recover stolen vehicles, locate missing persons, and solve a wide range of offenses, including burglaries, robberies, and hit-and-run accidents. Additionally, the system provides real-time alerts to dispatch and patrol officers when vehicles associated with outstanding warrants or active investigations enter an area, a feature supporters contend helps deter criminal activity and facilitates faster, more coordinated incident responses.