A suspected arsonist accused of setting fire to palm trees in a San Diego suburb was apprehended with the assistance of a drone, according to California law enforcement officials.
Incident Details
The San Diego County Sheriff's Office released drone footage capturing the May 25 incident, which showed flames engulfing a cluster of trees in a valley situated between a residential area and a busy road east of downtown San Diego.
Authorities received a report of a man using a lighter to ignite a palm tree near an outdoor flea market in Spring Valley, leading to a temporary evacuation of nearby residents.
Search and Arrest
Officers from the California Highway Patrol assisted in the search for the suspect. The sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Systems Program deployed a drone, which located the individual hiding in a nearby riverbed and tracked his movements.
The deputy operating the drone relayed the suspect's position to a police helicopter before grounding the drone to allow firefighting aircraft to safely combat the blaze.
Deputies arrested the suspect, identified as 35-year-old Miguel Hernandez, shortly thereafter.
Official Statement
“This coordinated response helped firefighters safely contain the flames and allowed deputies to take the suspect into custody without further risk to the community,” the San Diego County Sheriff's Office stated in a Facebook post.
Drone Program Background
The San Diego County Sheriff's Unmanned Aerial Systems Program was established a decade ago and now comprises a team of 60 certified pilots and over 70 aircraft, supporting missions such as search-and-rescue operations, patrol responses, and emergency incidents.
