A drone acquired this spring by Ruston Police was used last week in the apprehension of a fraud suspect.
Eddie Gray, 34, of Choudrant, was arrested July 12 for allegedly using a stolen debit card at local businesses.
Earlier that day, patrol officers responded to a report of a theft involving a debit card. The victim told officers his wallet was lost and when he found it again his debit card was missing. The victim said his debit card had been fraudulently used at several businesses throughout the area.
During the investigation, a picture of the suspect was obtained from video surveillance from location where the debit card was fraudulently used. The surveillance video was collected and the case was turned over to investigators.
On July 13, patrol officers responded to an unrelated call involving an unwanted intoxicated person in a parking lot.
The Ruston Police Department’s drone, nicknamed “Patsy,” was deployed to assist officers at the scene. Investigator Summer Wilson was able to monitor the live video feed from the drone at her desk at RPD. Investigator Wilson recognized Gray as the individual captured in the surveillance footage from the theft investigation the previous day.
Officers detained Gray and transported him to the Ruston Police Department for questioning. During the investigation, detectives determined Gray was the individual seen using the victim’s debit card in the surveillance video. The victim’s debit card was also found on Gray.
Gray was arrested and booked at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center for three counts of access device fraud.
RPD said in a statement that, “This investigation highlights the value of the Ruston Police Department’s Drone Program. ‘Patsy’ provided a live aerial view that allowed an investigator to quickly recognize the suspect from previously obtained video surveillance footage.
“The use of this technology helped officers identify and locate the suspect more efficiently, demonstrating how innovative tools continue to enhance public safety, improve investigative efforts, and support officers in protecting the citizens of Ruston.”
This information has been provided by a law enforcement agency as public information. Persons named or shown in photographs or video as suspects in a criminal investigation, or arrested and charged with a crime, have not been convicted of any criminal offense and are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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