A shoplifting call at an Arvada Target turned into a high-tech game of follow-the-leader on June 17, when a police drone quietly shadowed a suspect from the store to a nearby Arby’s, where officers moved in for the arrest.
According to DroneXL, a loss-prevention officer at the Target near West 78th Avenue and Wadsworth Boulevard reported an active theft around 7:45 p.m. A Skydio X10 drone that was already in the air picked up the suspect and tailed the person across several blocks to the Arby’s at West 80th Avenue and Wadsworth. Officers met the suspect at the restaurant, confirmed an active arrest warrant, and booked the individual on allegations of stealing more than $340. Police reported no vehicle chase and no injuries.
How Arvada’s Drone First Responder Program Operates
The city’s Drone First Responder program, or DFR, lets trained staff launch drones to get real-time aerial video on certain calls before officers reach the scene. That includes in-progress crimes, searches for suspects, and hazardous situations that might put officers or bystanders at risk. As outlined by the City of Arvada on its Drone First Responder page, every flight is governed by department policy, logged for transparency, and limited to specific public safety missions in an effort to protect privacy.
Quick Rollout, Busy First Weeks
Arvada moved quickly from contract to active flights. A council resolution this spring funded an Axon technology bundle that included Skydio docks and DFR services, a process detailed in reporting by Kim Monson Newsroom. The program launched in late May and was fielding a steady stream of calls almost immediately, closing “83 calls in its first nine operational days,” according to DroneXL.
The Skydio X10: Built For Drone First Responders…