RCMP Use Drone to Track and Arrest Fleeing Suspect in Fort McMurray

FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — A police drone played a role in the arrest of a man who fled from officers after evading a traffic stop early Saturday morning.

Around 3:30 a.m., RCMP patrolling Tower Road attempted to stop a Polaris Side-by-side, but the driver refused to comply and fled the scene. Officers decided not to pursue the vehicle due to public safety concerns. Instead, they deployed a Remote Pilot Aerial System to follow the fleeing suspect.

The drone tracked the vehicle to a residence on Berens Place, where police arrested a 30-year-old man without incident. The Side-by-side was also seized.

The man faces charges of flight from a police officer and failure to provide a breath sample. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 5.