Monroe Police Drone Tracks Suspect After Pursuit

The Monroe Police Department used a drone with thermal imaging early Thursday morning to locate a suspect who fled from a stolen vehicle after a pursuit that began in neighboring Wadesboro, as reported by WCNC.

Shortly before 1 a.m., Monroe officers were alerted that the Wadesboro Police Department was actively pursuing a stolen red Hyundai traveling westbound toward Monroe. Officers moved into position to assist and deployed stop sticks near the Concord Highway exit ramp at the Monroe Bypass.

The tactic worked. The vehicle came to a stop.

The driver did not.

He jumped out and ran into a wooded area near the highway, turning what could have been a routine vehicle recovery into a nighttime search operation.

Drone With Thermal Imaging Spots Heat Signature

Instead of committing officers immediately into thick brush in the dark, Sergeant Pezzello launched the department’s drone equipped with thermal imaging.

Within minutes, the aircraft identified a clear heat signature concealed in dense vegetation. From above, the suspect’s body stood out against the cooler surroundings, even though he was hiding under brush.

Using the live aerial feed, Sgt. Pezzello directed Monroe officers and personnel from the Union County Sheriff’s Office to the suspect’s exact position.

The man was found hunkered down and taken into custody without further incident. He was later released to the Wadesboro Police Department.

Authorities identified the suspect as 47 year old Robert Bryan Sexton. He had reportedly been released from custody in Hoke County and was on active probation at the time.

Why Drone First Response Matters

This incident highlights how small unmanned aircraft systems are reshaping perimeter containment and suspect searches, particularly in low visibility conditions.

Traditional ground searches at night require more personnel, increase exposure to unknown terrain, and carry higher risk of injury. Thermal drones dramatically shorten search times and improve officer safety by providing real time overwatch.

In this case, the drone transformed a potentially lengthy woodland search into a controlled and efficient arrest. No injuries were reported, and the suspect was located quickly after fleeing on foot.

For agencies like Monroe PD, drones are no longer experimental tools. They are operational assets integrated into pursuit response and containment strategy.

As more departments deploy thermal equipped aircraft, stories like this are becoming routine. The technology is proving especially effective in wooded environments where suspects assume darkness provides cover.

It no longer does.

DroneXL’s Take

This is exactly where drones deliver measurable value. Rapid deployment, thermal capability, and real time coordination turned a foot chase into a short aerial guided recovery.

The key takeaway is speed. The faster a drone gets airborne during a foot pursuit, the higher the probability of locating the suspect before they can create distance or discard evidence.

For departments considering expanding their drone programs, Monroe’s response offers a clear blueprint. Integrate drones into pursuit protocol, train supervisors to deploy immediately, and use thermal imaging to dominate low light environments.

Night used to belong to whoever could disappear into it.

Not anymore.

Photo credit: Monroe PD