Miami PD drone catches suspect on camera in fast response

A recent incident in Miami shows once again how drones are changing police work in the United States. As reported by Local10 News, on Nov. 11, Miami officers used a drone to track and apprehend a suspect in a domestic battery case. The entire chase was recorded from the air, giving us a detailed look at how modern police drones now serve as first responders.

According to the Miami Police Department, the incident involved 24 year old LeCurry Anthony Williams Jr. Police said he shoved his girlfriend and broke a window at a residence before trying to flee the area. While officers were on their way, the department deployed one of its Drone First Responder aircraft, known internally as DFR 11.

This drone reached the scene ahead of ground units and quickly located the suspect as he attempted to walk away. The drone streamed a live video feed to officers on the ground, showing them exactly where the suspect was heading. This real time view allowed the responding units to approach with confidence and precision. One detail that stands out is that Williams allegedly tried to change clothes in order to blend in and avoid detection.

With traditional patrol response, that tactic might have worked. But the drone stayed locked on him, tracking every move from above. The change of clothing did not make a difference. The drone allowed police to maintain visual contact from the start of the call until the arrest.

Skydio X10 plays growing role in U S law enforcement

Miami’s Drone First Responder unit operates the Skydio X10, one of the more expensive public safety drones available today. This aircraft features high resolution cameras, strong zoom capability, night operations support and onboard artificial intelligence. The platform is designed specifically for police and emergency response teams.

It is important to note that incidents like this are not isolated. We are now watching a clear trend in the United States as more and more police departments migrate to the Skydio platform. Every week, new cities announce purchases, test programs or expansions of their drone first responder units.

Many agencies once relied heavily on DJI drones for rapid response, scene documentation and search operations. But concerns around data security, along with the political pressure of an American made solution, have pushed departments toward Skydio. The X10 in particular is becoming the standard choice for agencies that want strong zoom, long endurance and advanced autonomy.

The Miami case shows exactly why departments are making that shift. A drone that can launch fast, navigate without hitting obstacles, identify a suspect and guide officers with live video offers a huge operational advantage.

For police, the benefits are clear. Response times shrink. Officers get better situational awareness. And arrests can be made with less risk. For communities, these same tools can reduce the chances of escalation. When officers already know what they are walking into, they can take safer approaches and make better decisions.

Drone feed helps officers make safe arrest

In this incident, the live feed gave officers everything they needed. They saw the suspect’s route, his attempt to change clothes and his position in real time. When officers reached him, they did so calmly and without the need for a chase.

Miami police said the drone helped them resolve the call safely, both for the officers and for the suspect. The department continues to point to its Drone First Responder program as a major tool for reducing risk in these fast moving domestic calls, which are often unpredictable and dangerous.

Jail records show that Williams was taken into custody and charged with one count of battery. His bond information was not yet available at the time of the report.

DroneXL’s Take

The Miami case is another example of how fast police drones are becoming standard equipment in major U S cities. The Skydio X10 is now showing up everywhere, and the speed of adoption raises both interest and concern. Agencies get better tools, but the growth also demands strong policies and clear guidelines. If the ‘trend’ continues at this pace, Skydio drones will soon be the default eye in the sky for police work all across the country.

Photo credit: Miami PD