The Farmington Hills Police Department was able to track and arrest a suspect who is believed to be involved in several larcenies from auto incidents using its drone with thermal imaging technology.

Farmington Hills patrol officers saturated neighborhoods with extra patrols following a series of larcenies from automobiles this weekend. During the early morning hours of Monday, Sept. 15, an officer with a keen eye noticed that the interior lights of several vehicles parked in driveways were on, while patrolling a subdivision in the area of 12 Mile Road and Drake Road. The officer, suspecting that the vehicles had recently been broken into, called for additional units to respond to the area and requested that a drone be deployed to search the area from the sky. 

The drone pilot arrived on scene and deployed a drone. The pilot began scanning the area using the thermal imaging capabilities and picked up the heat signature of a suspect. The suspect was monitored and observed running through the neighborhood while actively trying to hide from arriving police units. The drone pilot communicated the suspect’s location to arriving units, who successfully tracked the suspect to a wooded area near the northwest corner of 12 Mile Road and Drake Road. Patrol officers converged on the area and found the suspect hiding in the woods dressed in all black.

“This case highlights how technology, like drones and thermal imaging, can enhance law enforcement activity,” said Farmington Hills Police Chief John Piggott. “Using this technology, our officers were able to quickly locate and arrest a suspect who may have otherwise escaped. These resources enhance public safety and allow us to respond more effectively to crime in our community.”

The suspect was taken into custody without incident and later identified as a 17-year-old resident of Novi. Evidence recovered from the scene links the suspect to numerous larcenies from vehicles in the neighborhood.  

The juvenile suspect was released to his guardian, pending a review of the investigation by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office Juvenile Division.

“There are two easy ways that community members can prevent a similar crime: never leave valuables in a car and always lock car doors,” said Chief Piggott. “Many of these thefts are crimes of opportunity. By taking a few extra seconds to secure your car, you remove that opportunity and help keep our community safe.”

If you believe you were a victim or have any information about these incidents, please call the Farmington Hills Police Department at 248-871-2610.

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