Report Of Chopper Chasing Drone In Somerset County Unconfirmed

SOMERSET COUNTY, NJ — There has been an increasing number of recent drone activity in the area prompting concern.

One video was posted on YouTube on Wednesday night claiming to show a police helicopter chasing a drone in Bernardsville.

"I've seen two different types of drones - with flashing red and green lights, and with four white lights in a square. Towards the end of this video you’ll see the drone," stated the video poster.

When Patch reached out to authorities to confirm the video, the Federal Aviation Administration said "We do not have a report."

Bernardsville Police Chief John Remian said, "I'm sorry I have no information that would confirm that it occurred in Bernardsville."

And New Jersey State Police Sgt. Jeffrey Lebron told Patch to "please direct all inquiries regarding this matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

An email to FBI spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson was not immediately returned on Friday.

Due to the recent drone sightings Morris and Somerset County Law Enforcement issued a joint public statement.

"County and local law enforcement agencies are aware of the recurring reports of drone activity around Morris and Somerset counties, and acknowledge the public’s concern about these repeated sightings," said authorities.

As a result of the sightings, Somerset and Morris County Prosecutor’s, Sheriff’s and Emergency Management Offices, and local municipal police departments, are working with the FBI-Newark, New Jersey State Police and New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness partners.

The partnership seeks "to reassure the public that we will continue to monitor and investigate the drone activity. There continues to be no known threat to public safety," said authorities.

FBI spokeswoman Amy J. Thoreson told Patch previously that the agency is actively investigating the sightings and noted a focus of their investigation.

"The FBI Newark, NJ State Police and NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness are asking for the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones flying in several areas along the Raritan River," said Thoreson.

When reached by Patch on Wednesday about the latest night of high-flying activity, Thoreson noted that they "don't have many answers."

"We don't want to guess, or hypothesize about what's going on. We are doing all we can to figure it out," she said. "I will update you as soon as I'm able to."

The FBI Newark and the NJ State Police are asking the public to report any information related to the recent sightings of possible drones. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or submit it online at tips.fbi.gov. Citizens can also upload videos through the latter website.

The Federal Aviation Administration has issued two Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base through Dec. 26 and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster through Dec. 6, at the request of federal security partners. Read More: Flight Restrictions Issued Over Trump Golf Course After Drone Reports

The FBI began their own investigation on Nov. 26, approximately 10 days after the first sightings were reported, but there have been no updates since then.

Drone operators who conduct unsafe operations that endanger other aircraft or people on the ground could face fines up to $75,000. In addition, the FAA can suspend or revoke drone operators’ pilot certificates.

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