EPSO: Drones assist in arrest of burglary suspect

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) reported on May 6 that drones played a key role in the arrest of a burglary suspect. Just before 3 p.m., deputies responded to a call about an active burglary at a home in the 1200 block of Maxwell Street in Stratmoor Valley. A detective from the Intelligence-Based Operations Center (IBOC) deployed a Drone as a First Responder (DFR), which arrived within three minutes and identified the suspect, a 43-year-old woman later identified as April Gonzalez, near the home loading boxes into a blue Saturn sedan. The drone provided real-time updates, allowing deputies to track Gonzalez as she entered her vehicle. Using this information, officers intercepted her before she could leave the area. Gonzalez was identified as the suspect in the burglary, with stolen items reportedly found in her car. Sheriff Joseph Roybal highlighted the effectiveness of technology in law enforcement. He stated that tools like the DFR program enhance officer safety and improve the ability to solve crimes. The program leverages drones to quickly respond to incidents, track suspects, and assist in arrests. The incident demonstrates how drone technology is being integrated into policing to improve response times and criminal investigations. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office continues to explore ways to use advanced tools to combat crime and protect communities.