DFR helps MBPD locate assault suspect hiding nearby
After an aggravated assault was reported, Miami Beach PD officers responded immediately. The Real-Time Intelligence Center (RTIC) received a description of the suspect, and Lead Analyst Edward Diaz launched a drone using the “fly now” feature to quickly scan the area.
Thermal imaging helped clear an alleyway near the original scene, but Diaz expanded the search and spotted the suspect hiding three blocks away at a different intersection. From the air, he guided officers directly to her location, where they were able to make a positive ID and safely detain her.
This response highlights how fast-launch drones and real-time coordination from the RTIC help officers find suspects quickly and efficiently—without wasting precious time or putting officers at risk.
- [suspenseful music] There was a call that came in first,
- some type of aggravated battery situation going on where the officers, uh,
- responded on scene immediately.
- They gave us a brief description of what the subject
- was that fled the scene. We were already flying in the air at
- that moment. I overheard the call go out, 14th Street
- Ocean Drive.
- We have access to the cameras. I'm looking for the suspect.
- I just did the Fly Now option, and it went straight to that intersection.
- I used a thermal initially to see if there was anybody hiding
- in the alleyways, if there were still any heat signatures in the
- alleyways.
- I determined there was nobody in the alleyway, so that's
- when I started moving
- over to the other intersection where that's where eventually I located
- her. She's right there, the, the lady with the black dress.
- Yeah, you're ahead one block.
- She's coming up on 16. She was about three square
- blocks away from the initial incident.
- She was attempting to hide behind a tree.
- She's heading to the entrance for Loews.
- One of my other partners, uh, took over the communications, advised the
- officers on the field what we're looking at and where she's at, and
- directed them to her, where they eventually detained
- her.
- They determined that there was a positive identification made,
- that that was
- the, uh, subject of the crime, and they arrested her with
- her appropriate charges.
- Good. Okay.
- All right.
- Detained.
- [upbeat music]
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