The Irvine Police Department successfully used its cutting-edge Drone as First Responder (DFR) program last weekend to apprehend a retail theft suspect attempting to evade officers in a local shopping center. Loss prevention staff at a local Walmart alerted law enforcement after observing a man bypass the registers and exit the building with a shopping cart completely full of unpaid merchandise.
Upon spotting responding patrol cars entering the parking lot, the suspect abandoned the stolen goods, fled on foot, and attempted to hide in nearby foliage…