FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — A Fresno man accused of violating a restraining order learned the hard way that you can run from officers, but not from the department’s eye in the sky.
According to the Fresno Police Department, Northwest District officers responded Tuesday morning, May 26, to a confidential location for a reported restraining order violation.
When officers arrived, the department’s Drone as First Responder (DFR) unit spotted a man leaving the area on an e-scooter.
Fresno Police Department drone tracks done man leading leading police on a chase. (VIDEO: Fresno Police Department)
Drone operators tracked the suspect from above while relaying his location and direction of travel to responding officers.
Police say the suspect appeared completely unaware he was being monitored by the drone as he cruised through the area on the scooter.
Once officers attempted to stop him, the suspect tried to flee, first on the scooter and then on foot.
With assistance from the DFR unit, patrol officers were able to quickly locate and arrest the suspect without further incident.
The man was taken into custody on charges related to the restraining order violation and evading officers.