Dakota County Deputies, in cooperation with law enforcement partners including Rochester Police, apprehended two suspected involved in an armed carjacking early in the morning of July 9. A third suspect is still at large.
Rochester Police were called to Edelweiss Ln NW in Rochester Tuesday, July 8 after the homeowner discovered three black-clad youths in the home’s garage.
The intruders hit the homeowner with a gun and demanded his vehicle before fleeing north into Dakota County.
“Suspects fled in the vehicle and were tracked by multiple law enforcement agencies heading north on Highway 52 into Dakota County,” said City of Rochester Police in a statement.
The suspects’ car was stopped with spike strips near Highway 50 in Farmington where the suspects fled on foot.
Dakota County Sheriff deputies used drones to locate the suspects, two of whom were taken into custody and transported to the East Central Regional Juvenile Center in Anoka County. One suspect remains at large.
The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Unmanned Aircraft System unit, often referred to as the drone team, utilizes drones with thermal imagery, spotlights, optical zoom, and real-time video feed capabilities.
In a statement provided to the Hastings Journal, Tim Hunt, Communication and Engagement Specialist for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office explained how and why drones were used in this case: “When the suspects fled on foot, the terrain and darkness made it difficult for deputies to track them safely and efficiently. Drones were deployed to provide aerial visibility, using thermal imaging to detect heat signatures in low-light conditions. This allowed deputies and supporting agencies to cover more ground quickly without putting themselves at unnecessary risk in unfamiliar or wooded areas.”
“We’re proud of how this collaboration showcased the strength of teamwork and innovation in law enforcement. Thank you to our partnering agencies for your quick action, coordination, and professionalism in bringing this situation under control.
"This is a great example of how technology like drones is not just enhancing how we do our jobs—it's making them safer for everyone involved,” said Dakota County Sheriff’s Office in a Facebook post.
According to Hunt, “Drones are an increasingly important tool for modern law enforcement,” for a wide variety of situations from search and rescue efforts to mapping and documenting vehicle crashes to providing overhead imagery that helps investigators reconstruct scenes.
The use of drones can replace traditional ground searches that can be “time-consuming and increase the risk of injury to deputies, especially in unfamiliar or hazardous areas. It also limits their ability to track suspects who are moving quickly over large areas,” said Hunt.
“Overall, drones significantly enhance both safety and effectiveness by reducing risk, improving efficiency, and enabling faster, more coordinated responses across a wide range of law enforcement activities. They’ve become a vital tool for the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, helping protect both deputies and the community,” said Hunt.