SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Drones helped track down and arrest a wanted convicted felon in Spokane Valley earlier this month.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies went to the home of 37-year-old Tyler S. Keener in Spokane Valley on September 10 around 1:15 a.m. Keener had an active Washington State Department of Corrections Escape Community Custody arrest warrant.
SCSO said Keener had been known to be armed, had a long criminal history, and was known to run from law enforcement.
When deputies arrived at the home, one noticed a man walking away from the house and going east toward a field. A SCSO drone flying above was able to use its infrared camera system to locate Keener and track him.
Keener was caught on drone surveillance going into the backyard of a home before disappearing under the roof of a covered deck.
A deputy saw Keener come out from below the deck. Keener was arrested and taken into custody.
SCSO said Keener showed signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of his arrest.
Keener was booked into the Spokane County Jail for his felony warrant and resisting arrest. He is also being held on a previous but unrelated charge of organized retail theft.
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