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

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 is exactly where technology that verifies crime events in real-time becomes essential.
 

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, alerts were immediately sent to investigators through DirectToDispatch™, 3Si’s real-time crime alert verification platform. Moments later, 911 calls confirmed the crime.

The detective on duty logged into the DirectToDispatch dashboard, where the device’s movement appeared instantly on screen.
Officers were sent directly to the address, securing the scene and making an arrest within minutes. What had been an unpredictable investigation became a precisely directed response.
 

Giving Law Enforcement Space, Time, and Control

 

3Si’s mission is to give agencies and security teams a clear tactical advantage. 3Si’s DirectToDispatch is the industry’s most advanced priority pathway for delivering verified felony events to more than 10,300 police agencies nationwide.
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:

 

Want to Learn How DirectToDispatch Can Strengthen Your Security Strategy?

DirectToDispatch helps safety managers verify crime alerts instantly, support first responders with real-time intelligence, and reduce risk across every facility you manage.

 

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