St. Petersburg police touted another success for the city's growing network of Flock cameras this week after the technology successfully solved the case of a Pinellas County father who told his family he was "running to Publix," but instead spent the afternoon across the bridge at a Tampa Hooters.

Investigators say the suspect left his St. Pete home around 1:15 p.m. Saturday, traveling briefly in the general direction of Publix before speeding over a curb to turn around and toward what was described by the suspect as an "unintended pit stop" which lasted most of the day.

"From there, the evidence became overwhelming," one detective said while pointing to a map of license plate hits. "The timeline simply wasn't consistent with purchasing groceries."

According to investigators, the vehicle remained at Hooters for approximately 97 minutes before making additional stops at Home Depot, Circle K, and another Hooters location in South Tampa, before eventually getting a few items at Publix on his way home.

The suspect eventually arrived at Publix 14 minutes before returning home carrying not one item from the gorcery list his wive wrote out for him in advance.

"I technically went to Publix," the father insisted. "The groceries are right there."

Police acknowledged that statement was factually correct but "left out roughly three hours of highly relevant travel history."

The man's wife said she immediately became suspicious when he claimed he went to Publix but never called her for clarification on what a shallot is and if shallots would be in the ethnic food aisle or not.

"I've been married to him for 18 years," she said. "He never knows how to complete a grocery store trip to Publix without calling me for help."

Officials say the investigation demonstrates just how effective Flock cameras have become at reconstructing vehicle movements.

"They're an incredibly valuable investigative tool," one officer said. "Although, if we're being honest, we can only solve a crime if the suspect used a car.

Privacy advocates called the incident a troubling example of government surveillance, while supporters argued the technology simply revealed what everyone already suspected anytime a man says he's making "a quick grocery run."

Several local fathers declined to comment, saying they had "very important errands" as well as "other important stuff" to run and do, but their wives did comment, saying that they hope more Flock cameras are installed in their neighborhoods.

At the moment, 50 Flock cameras are active throughout the city of St. Petersburg.

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