Assault Suspect Surrenders After Police Drones Fly Into Home: Sheriff

STAFFORD COUNTY, VA — A man who barricaded himself inside a Stafford home on Monday surrendered after drones flew into his home, police said.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office said the man, a 26-year-old, was wanted for domestic assault and battery. Authorities did not identify the suspect by name. They also did not say whether a victim was injured in the assault.

Stafford County deputies learned of an assault that occurred at a home on Twin Brook Lane "just before lunch" on Monday, the sheriff's office said. Police officials received a warrant for the man's arrest.

"The suspect refused to exit the residence and barricaded himself in an upper level of the townhome," the sheriff's office said. "The Drone Team responded and flew two drones into the home."

When he heard the drones flying through the townhouse, the suspect surrendered to police. During the barricade incident, police evacuated several nearby homes and shut down the street.

The Stafford County Sheriff's Office began its drone program in 2017. At that time, it was the only agency in Virginia to use drones exclusively for police activities. Officials say they use the drones to search for missing people, locate suspects, document crime scenes, and assist in traffic assessments.