Sacramento police use aerial drone to find two burglary suspects hiding in building’s attic
Sacramento police officers last month used an aerial drone to find two burglary suspects hiding among air conditioning ducts in the attic space of an office building in Gold River.
Two officers from the Sacramento Police Department’s Uncrewed Aerial System team were called about 12:15 a.m. Feb. 19 to the business in the 2300 block of Gold Meadow Way, just east of Sunrise Boulevard.
Officer Anthony Gamble, a Sacramento police spokesperson, said the Rancho Cordova Police Department was investigating the reported burglary at the Gold River business. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office is contracted to have its deputies provide police services in nearby Rancho Cordova.
Rancho Cordova police called the Sacramento aerial drone team to assist in their burglary investigation. On Friday, Sacramento police released video from the aerial drone searching the office building’s attic space last month.
The video shows the drone entered an office in the building and moved into the attic space where a portion of the ceiling appeared to have been removed.
The drone continued past wires and around air conditioning ducts to find one suspect standing next to a steel beam presumably trying to avoid detection by the drone. The video also shows the drone finding the other suspect tucked in an upright fetal position in a small space between two walls.
The two suspects surrendered to officers at the scene and were arrested on burglary charges.
“This incident highlights not only the special skillsets and tools that the Sacramento Police Department possess, but also our collaboration with our outside-agency partners to ensure public and officer safety,” Sacramento police said in social media posts. “Great team work and great spot by our pilots!”
