The East Ridge Police Department successfully assisted the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Chattanooga Police Department in the recovery on Monday of a missing 13-year-old girl from Lee County, Fl.

The breakthrough in the multi-state investigation occurred when investigators utilized Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to determine that a suspect vehicle had recently traveled through an intersection just off Interstate 75 in East Ridge.

“The East Ridge Police Department worked closely with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners and this investigation remains active and ongoing," said Chief Clint Uselton. "While we wish it was never needed, this is a reminder of the force multiplying impact of law enforcement-focused ALPR technology. Within minutes of identifying the suspect vehicle in our community, the immediate, coordinated response of our officers led to a missing child being safely removed from a dangerous situation."