Police drones assisted officers and crews on the ground in two separate East County emergencies, authorities said Tuesday.
At about 3:50 p.m. Monday, officers received a report of a man stealing a pair of shoes from the Vans store at 882 N. Second St., El Cajon police said. A drone located the suspect and guided officers on the ground where he was detained without incident.
The man, found wearing the stolen shoes and identified by store employees, was determined to have prior theft convictions that qualify him for booking under repeat-offender provisions, according to police.
Around the same time, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews responded to a building fire at 8800 Grossmont Blvd., where construction materials had ignited on the rooftop.
As part of the El Cajon Police Department’s Drone as First Responder Program, a drone was deployed to provide real-time aerial visuals of the fire’s location and spread.
Police said the footage played a key role in both situations.
“Whether aiding in the swift apprehension of criminals or supporting firefighting operations, drone technology continues to prove its effectiveness in protecting the community and assisting first responders,” the department said in a statement.
