COLUMBUS, OH – Instead of initiating a high speed pursuit through the city, police instead used a helicopter to track a murder suspect. The air unit followed the suspect’s vehicle until he stopped for a meal. It was his last supper, because officers were waiting outside for him when he finished.
Last Friday, May 7, 2021, the Columbus Police Helicopter Unit received a request from CPD’s SWAT Unit to assist in locating homicide suspect 20-year-old Kendale Mardis until they could make an arrest.
Around 1 pm, the aircrew located the suspect’s vehicle southbound on James Rd. from E. Main St. The aircrew followed the vehicle from a high altitude while utilizing its FLIR camera.
The aircrew continued following and airing the vehicle’s location until it stopped at a restaurant in the 2700 block of Brice Rd. The occupants from the vehicle went into the restaurant and when they were returning to their vehicle officers arrested Mardis without incident.
A 15-year-old male, along with Mardis, was found to be in possession of a stolen gun. He was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed weapon and receiving stolen property, both felonies.