Monroe Deputies' Drone Mishap in Suspect Search

Drone flight cut short by rainy weather, leading to K-9 unit finding suspect instead.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies attempted to use a drone to locate a suspect who fled a traffic stop and subsequent chase, but the drone was unable to remain airborne due to the rainy weather conditions. A K-9 unit was eventually able to find and apprehend the suspect without incident.

Why it matters

The use of drones by law enforcement to assist in searches and investigations has become more common, but this incident highlights the limitations of the technology in certain weather conditions. It also underscores the continued importance of traditional police methods like K-9 units in apprehending suspects.

The details

Monroe County Sheriff's Office deputies tried to pull over a vehicle for traffic violations, but the driver refused to stop, leading to a chase that ended with the suspect crashing and fleeing on foot. Deputies attempted to use a drone equipped with a camera to locate the suspect, but the drone was unable to remain airborne due to the rainy weather. A K-9 unit was then able to find and arrest the 24-year-old suspect from Tift County without further incident.

  • The chase began around 2:30 a.m. on Interstate 75 Southbound near Exit 186 and Tift College.
  • The suspect crashed five exits south near Rumble Road.

The players

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that deployed the drone and K-9 unit in the search for the suspect.

24-year-old Tift County man

The suspect who fled from the traffic stop and was eventually apprehended by the K-9 unit.

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What they’re saying

“When it's rainy, snowy, cold, (the drone) can get a little persnickety.”

— Anna Watkins, Public Information Officer, Monroe County Sheriff's Office (The Telegraph)

The takeaway

This incident highlights the limitations of drone technology in certain weather conditions and the continued importance of traditional police methods like K-9 units in apprehending suspects, even as law enforcement agencies increasingly incorporate drones into their operations.