AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Commerce City Police Use Drone to Track Juvenile Suspect
A 15-year-old boy was arrested by Commerce City police after a drone followed him as he allegedly attempted to steal a car at an apartment complex, police said. The arrest was made after a resident reported a masked individual attempting to break into vehicles within the complex.
Real Time Crime Center Deploys Drone Surveillance
The Commerce City Police Department released a video from its Real Time Crime Center drone, which hovered over the apartment complex as officers responded to the report. The drone captured footage of the masked suspect inside a red car, where police say he was tampering with the steering column in an apparent attempt at car theft.
Suspect Attempts Automobile Theft Before Fleeing
According to the police, the juvenile suspect tried to steal the red car but gave up and exited the vehicle. He walked through the apartment complex, but his pace quickened to a run upon spotting arriving officers. Aerial images from the drone show police converging on the scene as the situation unfolded.
Police Drone Assists Officers in Making Arrest
The drone maintained visual contact with the suspect, documenting his movements until Commerce City police officers closed in. The 15-year-old boy was apprehended after he fell to the ground as police approached him. The arrest took place within the apartment complex where the attempted theft occurred.
Suspect on Probation for Earlier Motor Vehicle Theft
Following the arrest, Commerce City police identified the boy and stated he was already on probation for a previous motor vehicle theft charge. The use of the drone from the Real Time Crime Center is one example of how law enforcement is utilizing technological tools such as drone surveillance to monitor suspects and support police arrest operations, particularly in cases involving juvenile suspects and automobile theft.
Ongoing Efforts to Address Car Theft in the Region
This incident adds to ongoing concerns about car theft and related crimes in the area. Commerce City Police have not released further details regarding charges or the juvenile's court proceedings at this time.
Source: kdvr.com.
