REDMOND, Wash. — The Redmond Police Department used its eyes in the skies to help track down a shoplifting suspect- and they shared video of the ordeal.
On Jan. 27, just before 3 p.m., officers were called to a retail store on Northeast 76th Street for a woman accused of stealing.
Officers quickly deployed a drone to track the woman, who they say boarded a bus at a nearby park and ride.
The drone pilot was able to track the bus for a little over a mile and provide live updates to patrol officers on the ground.
Officers tracked the woman to another park and ride in the area and arrested her.
It turns out, the woman had arrest warrants for theft and obstruction.
The department launched its Drones as First Responders program last spring.
The goal is to use them to help officers assess the safety of a scene before ground units arrive.
DFR technology leads officers to shoplifting suspect🚨DFR technology leads officers to a shoplifting suspect🚨 On Jan. 27, around 2:50 p.m., Redmond officers responded to a reported shoplift in progress at a retail store in the 17700 block of NE 76th St. Upon arrival, store employees described the female suspect and stated they saw her flee on foot toward a nearby park and ride. A Drone as a First Responder (DFR) pilot deployed a drone, quickly located the suspect, and saw her board a bus. The DFR pilot followed the bus for more than a mile while providing live updates to patrol officers on the ground. With the help of the DFR, patrol officers located the bus and followed it to another park and ride. Officers approached the suspect as she deboarded the bus and detained her without incident. A criminal history check revealed the suspect has arrest warrants for theft and obstruction. Check out the footage⬇️to see how our team works together to keep Redmond safe.
Posted by Redmond WA Police on Tuesday, February 4, 2025
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