Madison Police used a drone early Friday morning to locate a suspect who ran from officers on the city’s south side. The incident began around 12:20 a.m. when a resident in the 1900 block of Axel Avenue reported someone walking up driveways and pulling on car door handles. The caller also provided a clear description, which allowed officers to begin searching the neighborhood right away. WMTV15 reported about the case.
About forty minutes later, officers spotted someone who matched that description in the 4400 block of Britta Parkway. That location is roughly a quarter mile from where the suspicious activity was first reported. When officers approached the individual, he allegedly refused to identify himself and kept reaching into his pockets. Officers attempted to speak with him, but the man took off running back toward Axel Avenue.
Because officers did not know whether he was armed, they moved with caution. Ground units began searching nearby yards while others set up a perimeter. The situation was turning into a fast moving search in a dark residential area, where visibility for officers on foot was limited. This made the drone a natural next step.
Drone Helps Officers Identify The Suspect’s Hiding Spot
An officer launched a drone and began scanning the backyards along Devolis Parkway. The aerial view allowed the pilot to check spots that ground officers could not easily see, including behind sheds, near fences, and around thick vegetation. These are the locations where suspects usually try to hide, especially at night.
The drone quickly picked up movement in a backyard in the 4300 block of Devolis Parkway. From above, the pilot could clearly see a person crouched behind an object. Officers on the ground moved toward the spot while keeping constant communication with the drone operator, who guided them with precise directions…