Safety managers and security leaders today face increasing pressure to better protect their assets and businesses. Henrico County, Virginia, recently showed how real-time data sharing and smart alarm verification can help stop a fast-moving crime spree.

Key Takeaways

  • Henrico County, VA used 3Si GPS tracking technology and DirectToDispatch™ to provide verified, dispatch-ready intelligence during a serial robbery investigation spanning multiple locations.
  • When a GPS tracker was activated, verified location intelligence was delivered to police dispatch through DirectToDispatch™, providing dispatch-ready information that supported the law enforcement response.
  • The case demonstrates how verified, dispatch-ready intelligence can improve situational awareness during crimes in progress and support informed law enforcement response.
  • DirectToDispatch™ provided verified intelligence that supported situational awareness, helping dispatchers and responding officers prepare with greater context as the incident unfolded.
  • Organizations across retail, financial services, and critical infrastructure can use existing security technologies alongside DirectToDispatch™ to strengthen public-private collaboration during verified incidents requiring law enforcement response.

 

A Growing Threat in the area

 
The county faced a string of eight robberies that moved unpredictably across the Metro Richmond area. With each incident occurring in a different location, investigators struggled to identify the suspect or anticipate where he would strike next. Smaller stores had limited security resources, making it difficult to respond proactively.

This type of unpredictable threat highlights the value of technologies that help organizations verify incidents and share dispatch-ready intelligence with law enforcement while an incident is still unfolding.
 

A Strategic Approach to a Moving Threat

 
By the fifth robbery, investigators knew they needed greater visibility and a wider reach. Some locations previously targeted did not have tracking devices, so the FBI partnered with local police and participating retailers to deploy 3Si GPS tracking devices.

Police already familiar with 3Si’s success in bank robbery cases understood the technology’s reputation for delivering accurate, court-ready data. They believed the same tools could support their covert investigation across the county.

Detectives placed 3Si trackers in stores the suspect had already hit, hoping he would return. Although the next robbery occurred elsewhere, the devices stayed active—and patience paid off.
 

Real-Time Awareness That Changed the Case

 
When the suspect took a 3Si GPS tracker during another robbery, verified location intelligence was shared with police dispatch through DirectToDispatch™ pathway.

The detective on duty logged into the DirectToDispatch™ dashboard, where the device’s movement appeared instantly on screen.
Dispatchers provided responding officers with the available intelligence, allowing them to respond with greater situational awareness. Officers secured the scene and made an arrest within minutes.
 

Giving Law Enforcement Space, Time, and Control

 
3Si’s mission is to give agencies and security teams a clear tactical advantage. DirectToDispatch™ is a verified police dispatch pathway trusted by more than 10,400 law enforcement agencies. It enables organizations to share verified incidents requiring law enforcement response in a dispatch-ready format while preserving dispatcher authority and existing workflows.
District attorneys value the breadcrumb trail, which documents the suspect’s movement from crime to apprehension.

Equally important, the system gives officers real-time data, allowing them to follow at a safe range rather than engage under heightened adrenaline or uncertainty. This reduces risk, allows teams to gather resources, and supports safer, more strategic apprehensions.
 

A Force Multiplier for Any Agency or Security Team

 
Amid reduced staffing and increasing demands, agencies need tools that let them do more with less. Investigators described the technology as “like having another officer on scene”, continuously providing real-time updates.

For retailers, safety officers, and facility managers, this means:

  • Precise, verified alerts when an actual threat occurs
  • Reduced time spent watching potentially inactive locations
  • Safer outcomes for staff, police, and the public

This combination of real-time verification and intelligence makes DirectToDispatch a powerful tool for protecting people, property, and entire communities.

Watch the full story as shared at IACP this year:

 

What This Means for Your Organization

 
The Henrico County case shows how verified, dispatch-ready intelligence can strengthen collaboration with law enforcement during crimes in progress. Book a demo below to see how DirectToDispatch™ fits alongside your existing security systems and public safety workflows.

 

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FAQ

 

How did Henrico County use real-time crime intelligence during its robbery investigation?

Henrico County investigators worked with the FBI and participating retailers to deploy 3Si GPS tracking technology at locations that had experienced repeat robberies. When a tracker was activated during a subsequent robbery, verified location intelligence was delivered to police dispatch through DirectToDispatch™. This dispatch-ready intelligence supported the law enforcement response by providing greater situational awareness as the incident unfolded.

What is a verified alert, and how does it differ from a standard alarm?

A standard alarm typically notifies monitoring teams that an event has occurred but may not include enough information to confirm the nature of the incident. A verified alert includes actionable intelligence, such as GPS location, video, images, or other verified information that helps establish that an incident requiring law enforcement response is in progress. DirectToDispatch™ provides a verified police dispatch pathway for sharing this dispatch-ready intelligence with police dispatch while supporting existing public safety workflows.

How do GPS tracking devices support law enforcement during crimes in progress?

GPS tracking devices provide verified location intelligence during an active incident. When used alongside DirectToDispatch™, that information can be shared with police dispatch in a dispatch-ready format, helping dispatchers provide responding officers with additional situational awareness before arrival. The technology supports informed decision-making while preserving established law enforcement workflows.

How can businesses support law enforcement during organized retail crime investigations?

Organizations can strengthen public-private collaboration by sharing verified, dispatch-ready intelligence during incidents requiring law enforcement response. Existing security technologies, including GPS tracking, video verification, and monitoring operations, can provide valuable context when paired with DirectToDispatch™, a verified police dispatch pathway. This approach supports law enforcement with actionable intelligence while allowing organizations to retain full control over what information is shared.

What security technologies best support incident response?

The most effective security technologies do more than detect an event. They help organizations verify incidents and share dispatch-ready intelligence with police dispatch when appropriate. Solutions such as GPS tracking, verified video, and other security technologies can provide valuable situational awareness during crimes in progress. DirectToDispatch™ works alongside existing security systems to provide a trusted pathway for delivering verified intelligence while preserving established public safety workflows.