Hanford Police's new drone helps nab burglary suspect

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- A new drone program at the Hanford Police Department is helping officers respond to crimes, which led to the arrest of a burglary suspect early Saturday morning.

Officers responded to a burglary at Day's Karate School on South Douty Street, where they found signs of a break-in. Authorities said the department's drone helped locate the suspect, who was taken into custody.

The studio's owner, Steven Day, said police found the suspect on the roof after he broke a window in an apparent attempt to gain entry.

"I looked down at the floor and there was shattered glass and debris everywhere, all over the floor," he said. "I walked up and tried to figure out where the glass was coming from. I walked over to my desk, I looked up, there's a skylight up there and they broke the glass there."

Day spent two days cleaning up shattered glass and debris left behind.

"I'd rather be training right now. I should be out here having fun, watching the kids beat me up and chase me around the floor," Day said.

Police said once the drone was deployed, officers were able to locate the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Ethan Valdez.

"The drone was on top of the roof, the person who was on top of the roof, he was running back and forth, and the drone was following back and forth," Day said.

Brian Johnson, the community relations manager with the City of Hanford, said the technology gives officers a new perspective during incidents.

"The drone may see things that our officers can't," Johnson said.

The department is currently operating the drone as part of a one-year trial program. Officers remotely pilot the device to respond to emergencies and critical incidents, providing real-time video and images to support crews on the ground.

The department has two drones in its fleet.

"One is meant for exterior purposes, the other for interior and where that comes into play, like SWAT operations, needing to make entry into a building before officers go in," Johnson said.

City leaders say the program is also focused on assisting with routine patrol calls.

"But primarily what we're going to be using is that exterior drone to respond to routine calls for service. Routine calls for service are things like a suspicious person," Johnson said.

Johnson said the department aims to remain transparent with the community amid privacy concerns, adding that the public can track where the drones are being used.

Day said he is grateful for the quick response from police.

Day's Karate School is hoping to reopen by Wednesday. Valdez is facing charges related to burglary, vandalism, and resisting or obstructing an officer.

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