Galloway Business Owner Used Drone To Drop Chemicals Into Pools: Police

ABSECON, NJ — A Galloway business owner was charged after using a drone to drop chemicals into pools in Absecon and Galloway that dyed the water green, according to Absecon police.

Patrick Spina IV, an Absecon resident and owner of Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling, faces multiple counts of criminal mischief, police said.

Absecon police, along with Galloway police, New Jersey State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began the investigation after receiving a call from an Upland Avenue homeowner on Aug. 13.

The homeowner reported that a drone was hovering above their pool and dropped a substance that turned the water "an alarming shade of green," police said.

After this first incident, similar reports came in from other locations, including the Quality Inn in Galloway where the concrete pool was damaged from the dye, police said.

The investigation led authorities to detect the drone in flight over the Quality Inn on Sept. 1, police said.

Authorities tracked the drone's path back to Comfort Solutions Heating and Cooling in Galloway.

Upon arrival to the business, authorities arrested Spina, who they say is responsible for the acts of criminal mischief.

Further investigation revealed that the substance used was Sea Dye, a material commonly utilized by sea rescue services.

"The use of such a material in this context was not only illicit but also caused damage to the affected pools," police said.

Absecon and Galloway police urge residents who may have been targeted by the drone to contact them.

For Absecon, contact Det. Neal Galletta #857 at (609) 641-0667 ext. 216.

For Galloway, contact DSFC. Jason Kiamos #77 at (609) 652-3705 ext. 331.