Pasadena Police Drone Helps Nab Burglar Hiding in Backyard

Suspect Charged with Burglary and Drug Possession

In a stunning display of modern policing, the Pasadena Police Department successfully apprehended a suspected burglar with the help of a high-tech drone. Ricardo Garcia Jr., 34, was charged with burglary and drug possession after allegedly breaking into a garage on Butterfly Circle and being scared off by the homeowner.

Drone Tracks Suspect to Nearby Backyard

After the homeowner called the police, officers launched a drone from a patrol car to search for the suspect. The drone quickly located Garcia hiding in Paul Bauer’s backyard, just a block away from the crime scene. Bauer, who had just put his baby to sleep, heard officers yelling “Get down, get down, get down” as the drone hovered above.

Homeowner Confronts Burglar with Pistol

The burglary victim, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly said that he discovered Garcia standing in his garage doorway while watching the Astros game. Garcia appeared to be under the influence and asked for water. The homeowner showed his pistol and told Garcia to leave the property. Garcia left behind a backpack containing drug paraphernalia and cell phones, among other items.

Suspect Returns Armed, Attempts to Break In

According to the homeowner, Garcia returned twice to retrieve his belongings. On one occasion, Garcia was armed with a sharp object and had cut screens on windows, broken a window, and left pry marks around two window frames. The homeowner called the police again, leading to the deployment of the drone.

Police Embrace Drone Technology

Sgt. Raul Granados of the Pasadena Police Department stated that they have been experimenting with drones for about two years, and the technology and battery life have improved. “We’re going to use technology to our advantage, we’re going to use everything that we have to try to catch people,” he said. The department logs every drone flight and only launches them when needed, not to watch over the city.

Drones Prove Effective in Suspect Apprehension

The use of drones has allowed the Pasadena Police Department to quickly locate and apprehend suspects without relying on assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies. Bauer expressed his impression with the police department’s swift response, saying, “It felt a lot safer than kind of what you typically would picture.”

The successful apprehension of Ricardo Garcia Jr. highlights the effectiveness of drone technology in modern policing. As the Pasadena Police Department continues to embrace this technology, it is likely that drones will play an increasingly important role in maintaining public safety and bringing suspects to justice.