Overview
- Deputies arrested 31-year-old Nathan Ceballos after a contractor replacing a vandalized Flock automated license-plate reader was threatened with a knife, had all four tires slashed and saw the new camera damaged during the incident on Monday.
- Sheriff’s investigators located Ceballos’ vehicle hours after the attack, took him into custody without incident and booked him on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats and multiple counts of felony vandalism.
- A search warrant at the suspect’s Palm Desert home produced items tied to the assault, additional evidence of vandalism to Flock cameras and multiple sexually intrusive videos of teenage girls recorded in public and private spaces.
- Authorities are actively working to identify people who may appear in the videos and are asking anyone with information about the assault or possible victims to contact the Palm Desert Sheriff’s Station.
- The case highlights ongoing local pushback against Flock Safety’s camera network, shows that intentional damage to ALPR units can carry felony exposure, and may prompt further investigations and victim notifications as the inquiry continues.