ABINGDON, MD. — Two juveniles were arrested early Monday after a series of vehicle break-ins in Harford County, with authorities crediting drone technology for swiftly locating the suspects.
Deputies from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office responded to Deep Well Court in Abingdon at 4:21 a.m. for reports of thefts from vehicles, finding that 21 cars had been entered and rummaged through. Less than half an hour later, additional calls led deputies to Doncaster Road in Joppa, where witnesses described two suspects dressed in black fleeing the area in a black pickup truck.
Deputies located the truck on Falconer Road and attempted a traffic stop, but the suspects fled off-road on Barksdale Road, abandoning the vehicle and escaping on foot. Inside the truck, deputies recovered a Glock 9mm handgun, stolen credit cards, and other stolen items.
The sheriff’s office then deployed a drone to search the surrounding area. The drone quickly identified the suspects, a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old, hiding in a heavily wooded area. Deputies moved in and apprehended the pair without incident.
“This case highlights the effectiveness of our drone technology in locating suspects and ensuring public safety,” the Harford County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. Efforts are ongoing to identify additional victims and return stolen property, while residents are encouraged to secure their vehicles and report suspicious activity.