SEVERN, Md. — Anne Arundel County Police officers made two arrests April 28 after an automated license plate reader system alerted them to a stolen vehicle traveling through Severn in the Western District.
The incident unfolded at approximately 6:45 p.m. in the area of Reece Road and Telegraph Road. Officers received an immediate alert from the automated license plate reader system flagging a blue Dodge Journey as stolen. A responding officer located the vehicle, confirmed it matched the stolen report, and conducted a traffic stop that resulted in the arrest of both the driver and the passenger without incident.
Mercadi Renay Garza, 22, of Richmond, Virginia, was arrested as the driver of the stolen vehicle. Her passenger, Aiyonah Aalycia Fields, also 22, of Richmond, Virginia, was charged with unlawful possession of a loaded Glock 9mm handgun.
The discovery of the loaded firearm inside the stolen Dodge Journey turned a routine stolen-vehicle recovery into a more serious case involving a firearms violation. Both women are from out of state, a detail that often surfaces in vehicle-theft investigations where cars are transported across jurisdictional lines.
Automated license plate reader technology played a central role in the swift identification and apprehension. These systems scan thousands of plates in real time and cross-reference them against databases of stolen vehicles and wanted individuals. Law enforcement agencies across Maryland rely on this tool to recover stolen property quickly and prevent potential escalation of criminal activity.
Vehicle theft remains a persistent challenge in many parts of the state. Stolen cars are frequently linked to other offenses, ranging from property crimes to more dangerous incidents. The additional presence of a loaded handgun in this case highlights the potential risks to public safety and underscores why officers treat such stops with heightened caution.
The arrests occurred in the Western District of Anne Arundel County, which encompasses communities like Severn and serves a large residential and commercial area. Police have not released further details about the original theft of the Dodge Journey or the length of time it had been missing. Investigators continue to examine how the suspects came into possession of both the vehicle and the firearm. Additional charges may be filed as the probe advances.
This case exemplifies the effectiveness of proactive policing combined with modern technology. By acting rapidly on the automated license plate reader alert, officers removed a stolen vehicle and a loaded handgun from circulation in a single encounter. Such interdictions help reduce the risk of further crimes and contribute to overall community safety in a region that sees occasional interstate criminal activity due to its location between major metropolitan centers.
Anne Arundel County authorities emphasize that partnerships with surrounding jurisdictions, including those in Southern Maryland, strengthen regional efforts to combat auto theft and illegal firearms. While this specific incident took place north of the Southern Maryland counties of Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s, the shared use of technology and information-sharing protocols benefits law enforcement throughout Maryland.
The investigation remains active. Both suspects were processed following their arrests. No injuries were reported, and the vehicle was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.
