Auburn Police used a drone to arrest four people who are accused of attempting to rob a man.
According to the Auburn Police Department, on Oct. 15, officers responded to a report of a robbery, arrested one suspect, then, using a drone, tracked the remaining three to a trailer where they were attempting to hide. According to APD, they used a small Unmanned Aircraft System, also known as a drone, to track the suspects.
“Officers were able to maintain a safe distance while obtaining an aerial perspective of the property,” APD stated. “The drone provided overwatch and visibility into areas obstructed by barriers and terrain, enhancing officer safety and situational awareness during the operation.”
According to APD, this incident began when officers responded to a report of an armed robbery in the 1500 block of 31st Street SE. APD stated that four suspects wearing masks allegedly assaulted a man and threatened him with a firearm while attempting to take his property.
APD stated that after investigating, they were led to a location in the 31700 block of 102nd Avenue SE, where the suspects were believed to be hiding. According to APD, as officers began clearing the property, they were alerted to the presence of hidden suspects inside a trailer at the back of the property. APD stated that due to a high fence, there was no safe location for officers to view the trailer door while maintaining cover.
“By using the drone, officers were able to stay safely behind cover on the other side of the fence while calling out to the suspects inside the trailer,” APD stated. “As two suspects exited, the drone provided a clear view, confirming they were not holding any weapons.”
According to APD, officers initially believed that there were only two suspects in the trailer, but the drone located the third suspect closing the trailer’s door. APD stated that officers chose not to approach the third suspect directly and instead remained behind cover and called the third suspect out. The fourth suspect was arrested prior to locating the three in the trailer, APD stated.
“The Auburn Police Department’s trained small Unmanned Aircraft System pilots regularly use drone technology as an officer safety and de-escalation tool, helping bring dynamic incidents to safer resolutions for both officers and community members,” APD stated.
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