Drone helps Seat Pleasant officers arrest suspects accused of fleeing from police in a stolen car

On July 31, 2024, at approximately 3:20 pm, Seat Pleasant police officers were patrolling in the 6200 Block of Central Avenue due to a series of recent thefts in the area. While in the parking lot, one of our officers was alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area. Officers located the vehicle, a white Mercedes G25, and began visual surveillance with assistance from the Seat Pleasant Police Department drone.

A short time later, the vehicle became occupied, and officers attempted to conduct a stop on the vehicle at which time the vehicle fled from officers driving onto Central Avenue westbound towards East Capitol Street. The on-duty supervisor did not authorize a pursuit, and all officers disengaged. The Seat Pleasant drone continued its covert surveillance and stayed over top of the vehicle as it continued down East Capitol Street towards Washington, DC.

The vehicle entered the intersection of East Capitol Street and Southern Avenue NE and collided with another vehicle. As the three occupants began to flee from the vehicle, our officers were notified and responded to the scene to render aid and assist in the apprehension. With the assistance of the Seat Pleasant drone, officers were able to apprehend two suspects, Antoine Lowery, a 19-year-old male from the District of Columbia and a juvenile male. One handgun with an extended magazine and a large amount of suspected cocaine was recovered. The Metropolitan Police Department was notified and responded to the scene to take custody of the suspects. Criminal Charges in Maryland are pending after further consultation with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.

The Seat Pleasant Police Department began using its unmanned aircraft, commonly known as a drone with the call sign Hawk, in 2023 to assist our patrol officers with critical support. In this instance, the drone played a pivotal role in providing aerial assistance and capturing these suspects.