I doubt it helped much directly. The nationwide ring that was dismantled recently was busted partially due to surveillance from a pole mounted camera though. The article title initially baited my rage, but I can plausibly see how LPRC's could be used to track catalytic converter thieves.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%932022_catalytic_co...

(a pole mounted camera for which a warrant had been obtained...)

Jeez, in not normally cynical but the Japanese buyer faced no charges and this has bad optics:

> Janice Ayala joined Dowa Metals & Mining America as their Chief Compliance Officer on March 3, 2023. During Ayala's 27-year tenure at the Department of Homeland Security, her most recent role before joining Dowa was as Director of Joint Task Force – Investigations. This agency oversaw the investigation into both DG Auto Parts and Dowa.