Drone helps deputies capture fleeing suspects after stolen vehicle pursuit

SMITH COUNTY — A stolen vehicle pursuit on Interstate 20 Sunday evening ended in Smith County with the help of drones, which guided deputies to two suspects who fled after the vehicle was stopped with spike strips. According to our news partner KETK, the Canton Police Department pursued a stolen vehicle into Smith County eastbound on I-20 at around 5:30 p.m. DPS Troopers were able to deploy spikes at MM562 and stopped the vehicle at FM 14.

“The driver and front seat passenger immediately bailed out the vehicle on foot and fled the area. A backseat passenger surrendered at the vehicle,” the sheriff’s office said.

Smith County deputies were then dispatched to the location including a drone pilot. When they arrived, they were informed that the suspects hit a wooded area adjacent to I-20. When the drone was deployed, a suspect exited the wooded area and was taken into custody.

The drone was then used to locate the second suspect, driver of the stolen vehicle, near a cell tower behind a fenced area around a mile west of the location.

“As deputies approached the cell tower on foot, the drone operator was able to relay pertinent information to them,” the sheriff’s office said. “The second suspect was taken into custody without incident.”

The driver was identified by officials as Dakota Roberts and was taken into custody by Canton PD. He has since been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. The passenger, James Finan, was also arrested for evading arrest. The other passenger was released at the scene, officials said.