Flock cameras credited in arrest of Providence stabbing suspect

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Flock cameras are drawing renewed attention after Providence police said the technology helped lead to an arrest in a deadly weekend stabbing.

Chukwnonso Uzome-Eze, 19, appeared in court Monday in connection with the death of 18-year-old Marvins Antoine, a UMass Dartmouth football player who was fatally stabbed outside Mezzo Lounge early Saturday morning.

Providence police credited the city’s Flock license plate reader system with providing information that helped investigators locate and identify the suspect.

Flock cameras use license plate recognition technology to record information about vehicles traveling through areas where the cameras are installed. Police departments have promoted the system as a tool that can assist with criminal investigations.

At the same time, the technology has faced criticism from privacy advocates and others concerned about the amount of vehicle data collected and how law enforcement agencies use and retain that information.

Uzome-Eze was ordered held without bail following Monday’s court appearance. He is expected to be extradited to Rhode Island next week to face a murder charge in connection with Antoine’s death.

The case has put a renewed spotlight on the role of automated license plate readers in Rhode Island, particularly as police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the fatal stabbing.