Crime & Safety

Hazmat, Cops, Helicopters Search For Reported Crashed Drone In Hillsborough Field

A caller reported a drone hit high-power tension lines before crashing in a field off Route 206.

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Authorities conducted an overnight search for a reported drone that crashed into a field off Route 206 in Hillsborough. However, the drone was not found on Friday.

"Following a thorough investigation by the Hillsborough Township Police Department with assistance from surrounding municipalities, and county and state agencies, no evidence of the reported downed drone has been found. I have full confidence in the professionalism and diligence of our police department in handling this matter. Please refer to the press release for all relevant details," said Mayor Robert Britting, Jr. in a release. "I urge everyone to remain calm and refrain from speculation as we continue to monitor the situation. Any new information will be shared with the community as it becomes available."

On Thursday at 8:34 p.m., the Hillsborough Police Department went to the parking lot of 315 Route 206 (Lowe’s) for the report of a drone that crashed into a field.

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Hillsborough Police met with the reporting party who said they saw drones in the air and one hitting the high-power tension lines, according to township authorities.

The reporting party said the drone then crashed into a field.

Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Hillsborough Police Officers, Hillsborough OEM, Somerset County OEM, Somerset County Hazmat, Hillsborough Township Fire Department Units 37 and 38, Millstone Valley Fire Department, Robert Wood Johnson EMS and the New Jersey State Police Aviation Unit searched the area from the air and on foot and were unable to locate any down drone.

Hillsborough Police set up a perimeter around the area until daylight, where the search resumed in more visible conditions.

On Friday at around 7:30 a.m., Millstone Valley Fire Department deployed drones over the area for an arial view of the area yielding negative results.

Somerset County Hazmat also conducted a foot search of the area yielding negative results.

At 12:10 p.m. all units were cleared after a complete search of the area was concluded, and no down drone was recovered.

There is no known threat to the public to report.

The public is reminded to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) to report any suspicious drones in the area.

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