A Brick Township man has been charged after police say an automated license plate reader camera was intentionally cut down outside a gas station.

Andrew Wardell, 31, was arrested Aug. 13 and charged with criminal mischief, according to police.

Officers responded July 8 to the Exxon station at 181 Drum Point Road after a Flock Safety camera used by the department was cut down, police said.

Flock cameras are automated license plate readers that capture vehicle information for use in police investigations. Brick police say the cameras can help investigators identify vehicles connected to reported crimes, locate stolen vehicles and establish timelines or patterns during investigations.

The cameras do not issue tickets, conduct traffic stops or determine whether someone has committed a crime, according to police. Information collected by the system is used as an investigative lead and evaluated by officers alongside other evidence.

Police did not provide additional details about how the camera was damaged or what led investigators to Wardell.