Police Drones Assist Firefighting and Robbery Arrest in San Diego County

A police drone provided critical aerial support during a commercial fire in La Mesa while a second unit helped locate a theft suspect nearby, according to the El Cajon Police Department. The dual incidents on Monday demonstrated how the city’s Drone as First Responder Program is expanding its role in both public safety and firefighting operations.

Drone Aids Fire Crews in La Mesa

Around 3 p.m. Monday, Heartland Fire & Rescue teams responded to a rooftop fire at 8800 Grossmont Blvd. Construction materials on the building’s roof had ignited, requiring fast containment. A police drone was launched to relay real-time aerial footage of the fire’s location and spread.

Authorities said the Skydio drone provided fire crews with an overhead perspective of the blaze, improving situational awareness and informing tactical decisions. Police emphasized that the live drone imagery played a key role in supporting firefighting strategy.

Second Drone Tracks Repeat Theft Suspect

Just under an hour later, at approximately 3:50 p.m., officers were alerted to a robbery at the Vans store on 882 N. Second St. in El Cajon. A man reportedly stole a pair of shoes before fleeing on foot.

A second police-operated Skydio drone was deployed to search for the suspect. The unmanned aircraft guided responding officers directly to the man, who was wearing the stolen merchandise when apprehended. Store employees confirmed his identity, and police noted he had multiple prior theft convictions that qualified him for booking under repeat-offender provisions.

Expanding Role of Drone as First Responder Program

The El Cajon Police Department noted that this was a clear case of drones being deployed to handle two separate public safety scenarios in the same afternoon. “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.

The Drone as First Responder Program continues to use unmanned aerial systems (UAS) as a frontline resource. The ability to deploy drones within minutes of emergency calls allows faster situational awareness compared to traditional response methods.

DroneXL’s Take

This incident underscores the growing integration of police drone programs beyond law enforcement into broader emergency response, including fire suppression. The El Cajon example highlights a practical use case where a single city deployed drones simultaneously for both firefighting intelligence and suspect apprehension.

The dual deployment raises questions about future scaling: Can smaller police departments across the U.S. resource fleets capable of handling overlapping incidents? Will partnerships with fire agencies deepen as UAS prove their value in quickly mapping fire spread from above?

As drone programs move further into multi-role operations, concerns over cost, privacy, and regulatory oversight remain important counterpoints. For now, the La Mesa–El Cajon events illustrate the versatility of drones in real-world emergencies.

What do you think—should more departments expand drone programs to cover simultaneous firefighting and policing operations? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of El Cajon PD.