18-year-old located, arrested using drone after fleeing from police in Mesa

PHOENIX — An 18-year-old was located using a drone and then arrested after fleeing from police in Mesa last week, authorities said.

According to the Mesa Police Department, officers saw several people just after midnight on March 23 at Whitman Park, which is located near Country Club Drive and Juniper Street, violating posted park rules.

Lorenzo Williams immediately fled, police said, after officers activated their emergency lights.

Williams proceeded to throw a backpack he was carrying over an adjacent wall before climbing a fence and fleeing through an alleyway, according to authorities.

How did Mesa police use a drone to find the teen?

Police deployed a Drone as First Responder (DFR) and found Williams climbing into a trash can to try to conceal himself from officers. The Mesa Police Helicopter responded and used infrared technology to confirm that there was heat emitting from the container, police said.

 

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Officers set up a perimeter and took Williams into custody without incident.

After Williams was arrested, officers recovered the backpack and a loaded handgun that was next to it.

Williams was booked into jail on charges of possession of a deadly weapon by a person under the age of 21, possession of marijuana for sale, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony, failure to obey a police officer and trespassing.

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